The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-04 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

AMERICAN MAILS.—The British and North American
steam-ship Arabia, Captain Stone, sailed for Halifax and
Boston, at 130, p.m., on Saturday, with the usual mails and
130 passengers.

THE paper to be read at the next meeting of the Liverpool
Architectural Society, to-morrow, will be on " The Relation-
ship of the Picturesque to Architecture," by Mr. Samuel
Huggins.
CHAIRMANSHIP OP THE COUNTY QUARTER SESSIONS.—
A letter received from London, on Saturday, by a gentleman
likely to be made acquainted with the fact, states that Lord
Stanley will probably be appointed to the chair at the Quarter
Sessions, vacant by the death of the late Archdeacon Brooks.
ME. LowE AND THE SHIPPING DUES BlLL—Referring to
the debate on the Shipping Dues Bill, the Daily News, which
is in favour of the measure, says:—" Mr. Lowe has some-
thing to learn in the way of discretion as an advocate. The
House of. Commons, he has yet, it seems, to learn, will not be
converted by clever antithesis, nor will members be forced
into the lobby with government by the mere application of
stinging personality, or the exhibition of want of temper.
EMIGRATION PROM LIVERPOOL—The decrease in the
number of emigrants who take their departure monthly from
the Mersey still continues. During the past month the total
number of passenger ships which have been dispatched for all
foreign ports has been 40, including large and small vessels,
carrying in all 5,237, of whom 4,239 have proceeded to the
United States ; 53 to South America ; 483 to Sydney ; 434 to
Melbourne ; and 29 to the East and West Indies.

CI7RIOUS DISPLAY OF THE COCHIN-CHINA MANTA.-At
the Police-court, on Saturday, a vagrant. who gave his name
us George Atkinson, was charged by police-officer 277 with
having a Cochin-China fowl in his possesion, of which he could
give no account. The prisoner convulsed the court with
laughter by stating in his defence that "he met the hanimal
permiscous in the street crowing like fun, and seeing its deso-
late condition he took it home, intending to shelter it till he
found the owner." The magistrate' who appeared to doubt
this story, remanded the prisoner.

ROBBERY BY A PAINTER.—John Moore, a painter, in the
employ of Mr. Bacon, of Dablin-street, was charged at the
Police-court, on Saturday, with stealing a quantity of paint,
the property of his master, and a married woman, Ellen
Poach, of Sawney Pope-street, the wife of a journeyman
painter, was charged with receiving a quantity of paint from
the male prisoner with a guilty knowledge. Suspicions being
entertained that Moore had stolen paint, a watch was kept on
him, and on Friday it was discovered that he had sold a can
of white lead to the female prisoner, which was found in her
house. Moore, for whom his master intsrced, was remanded,
and the female prisoner was fined 10s.
A Fultiotrs ACTOR.—Henry Courtaig,ne, an actor at one
of the theatres, was charged before Mr. Mansfield, at the
Police-court, on Saturday, with the following assaults :—Mr.
Courtaigne went home to his boarding-house in Lord Nelson-
street, on Friday evening, intoxicated, and threatened to take
his wife's life. She, being frightened, ran up stairs to take
shelter in another room. Her husband followed her, and
attempted to drag her down stairs, when Mr. Thomas, the
landlord of the house, interposed. Mrs. Thomas, hearing the
noise, also came to see what was the matter, when the pri-
soner struck her a violent blow, cutting ter face to the bone,
immediately under the right eye. The prisoner was bound
over to keep the peace for six months, in £l5O for himself, and
two sureties of £25 each.

SINGULAR COINCIDENCR.-At the Police-court, on Satur-
day, Thomas Richards, a lad about eighteen years of age, was
sent to gaol for a month for stealing a sovereign and a silk
pocket-handkerchief from a foreign seaman, Francisco Fer-
nandez, at the Prince's Dock, on Friday night. The next
case called on was that of Mary Holt, a girl also eighteen
years of age, and who was likewise charged with stealing a
sovereign and a silk pocket-handkerchief from Theresa Capper,
the keeper of an eating-house in Whitemill-street. The pro-
secutrix stated that the prisoner came to wait on her while
she was ill on Friday, when she stole the sovereign and a silk
handkerchief from a box. The handkerchief was afterwards
found in the prisoner's possession, but she denied all know-
ledge of the sovereign. She was remanded for seven days.
PUBLIC BATHS AND WASHHOUSES.-It appears from the
quarterly returns just presented to the Baths' Committee that
all the establishments are in a most satisfactory state. At
Cornwallis-street there were, during the quarter ending on
Wednesday last, 12,681 bathers, being an increase of 2,950
over the corresponding quarter of the preceding year; of this
number 1,054 were women. At the Pierhead the bathers
during the quarter were-3,432, being an increase of 365 over
the like quarter of 1865. At Paul-street the bathers during
the quarter were 4,521, being an increase of 213. No less than
2,905 bathers were admitted at the Paul-street establishment
gratuitously. In the washing department the same progress
has taken place. 'We are sure the public will be gratified at
the success which attends the operations of the Baths' Com-
mittee, as the means thus afforded for cleanliness must greatly
contribute to the,comfort, healt, and morality of the classes of
society for whom especially these places were intended.

ROBBERIES.—On the 25th a cattle-drover was robbed of
£349 in gold and notes when in the neighbourhood of London-
road.—On Tuesday night, about eight o'clock, a gentleman
was robbed of his silver lever watch when at Dr. M'Neile's
meeting in Hope-hall, Hope-street. The thieves cut his
pocket away.—On 'Wednesday night, a gentleman was robbed
of his gold watch‘in water-street.—On the same day a gentle-
man had his goldiever watch stolen from him when a Aintree
races, whilst two other gentlemen had their silver lever watches
and one had a -silver snuff-box stolen.—On the same night,
about nine o'clorl, a gentleman had his silver lever watch
stolen from him-when in a crowd in Lime-street, listening to
Startup and Brown's speech. Robberies of the same descrip-
tion are of frequent occurrence in the same neighbourhood.

STRANGE OCOURRENCE —A SOLDIER. HIDING FOR FIVE
WEEKS.—On Sunday last, a soldier of the 51st Regiment,
named Edward Money, a native of Bedfordshire, was found in
a barn a short distance from Bury barracks, in a most
emaciate(Lconditien.. He was quite pulseless' could only ex-
press himself very feebly, and was supposed to be in dying
circumstances. His feet were mortified and dead, and on being
removed to Bury barracks, the skin dropped off from the
ankles. From inquiries, it appears that he has been sixteen
years in the regiment, and, in consequence of an attack of
dysentery while. at Malta, he was sent to England in Decem-
ber last. On the 14th ult., he absented himself from the bar-
racks, and was never afterwards heard of until Sunday last,
when he was accidentally found in the barn '..by a little girl.
How he has sustained life for about five weeks is a perfect
mystery, and the man himself is unable to give any rational
account. He states that he was accustomed tacreep out of the
occasionallyto gets drink of water. Many persons suppose
that he must have derived sustenance from some hay that was
in the barn. How long he has been entirely without food
cannot now be ascertained ; but Mr. Campbell, military sur-
geon, says that it, is impossible for the man to have been on his
feet during the last ten days. No motive easrbe assigned for
his strange ,conduct, but it is supposed that he has been
labouring under mental hallucination. He is likely to recover,
but of course his feet are entirely lost. Manchester
Guardian.
PRESENTATION kTo A LITERPOOL CLRRGYSIN.—On Wed-
nesday evening last,the congregation of St. Anne's desirous
of showing their esteem to the Rev. John James (who is
about to leave them)and their gratitude for the services he
has rendered to the. poor of the district, presented him with a
testimonial, consistingef a splendid silver pocket,eommunion
service, with asuita.ble inscription, together with.a handsome
gold pencil-case and pen, accompanied with a purse of gold.
The deputation consisted of Mr. Councillor Kitchen, and
Messrs. Watts, Brown,. and Robinson. After an address, Mr.
S. Brown presented the testimonial, expressing the-feelings of
the subscribers in the following terms Reverend Gentle-
man—ln behallof thechurch and congregation of St. Anne's,
who have attended your Saithful ministry for a period of
nearly twelve months, _I have much pleasure iu presenting
you with a token of their affectionate regard for your.zealous
and efficient labours among them ; and may the Lord bless
you with health and strength long to minister to the spiritual
welfare of your fellow creatures." In the course of his reply,
the rev. gentleman said, return you my very sincere thanks
for these beautiful and valuable presents : I would that I
were more deserving of your kindness. My labours among
you at best have been weak, but what little I have done I
trust has been done with a single eye to the glory of :God.
And whenever I look upon this token of your esteem, it will
awaken in my heart feelings of the deepest gratitude, not
only to you, my dear friends. 'but to Him whose I am and
whom I serve. It is a source of great pleasure to me to know
that my bublic efforts to advance the cause of Christ have
been appreciated by you. May .God bless you in this life
with all needful blessings in ,Christ Jesus, and in the world
to.eeme, with life everlasting."
HEALTH COMMITTEE.—ST. CHURCIIYARD.—At the
weekly meeting of the health committee, on Thursday, the
following representation from the St.,George's-ball committee
was laid before the meeting by Mr. M`Gowan :—" The burial
ground of St. John's has been used for interments from the
hospital, the barracks, and lunatic asylum, once on the site of
St. George's-hall, for prisoners during the late war, who died
in large numbers, for the victims of cholera and Irish fever,
and for a very large proportion of the poorer classes of the
town, who bury here for convenience and economy's sake.
Since the ,closing of most of the Liverpool graveyards in May,
1854, this of SL John's has been very much more used than
even before. From what I have seen and heard during some
years, I have no hesitation in saying that the bulk of the
graveyard is a mass of putrefying matter, particularly the
the plot next St. John's lane and St. George's-hall. In 1850
the boundary wall at the southwest angle of the wall was re-
moved to admit of a new stone wall being built, and a mass of
coffin ends was exposed, packed closely together, and
one above another, about one hundred and fifty feet in
length, and I should say that only a portion of the wall was
removed at once, as the smell was so bad, A cesspool was
sunk close by at the same time in the rock. The oozings into
this from the churchyard were so offensive that the men had
repeatedly to leave it. It was soon half-filled with what was
called " blackblood," the stench of which was sickening. The '
health of every person long employed at the hall has suffered
from the proximity of the churchyard, and now having left
they have regained their health. Dr. Reid refused to take
air from the west side for the purposes of ventilation. Dr.
Sutherland and others connected with the General Board of
Health strongly recommended the closing of this burial
ground, and it was included in the Queen's order in council ;
but through an omission in the act of parliament, the order
in the ease of St. John's has been unattended to." Mr.
Gladstone said not a member of the committee doubted
that they ought to cease burying there. Mr. Johnson
said they had no power to interfere in the matter. After
a brief conversation had taken place, Mr. Gladstone
moved, that this subject having been brought under their
notice, the town-clerk be directed to communicate with the
commissioners of St. John's and St, Paul's, the rectors, &c., &c.,
calling their serious attention to the dangerous state of the
church, and requesting that no further interments should be
made therein. Mr. Beckwith seconded the motion, which
was unanimously agreed to. The medical officer reported as
to the health of the town, that in the week ending on
Saturday 243 death were registered in the vorough, of which
175 were in the parish and 68 in the out-townships. This is
about the average mortality of the same week of former years,
but is 38 in excess of that of the previous week. Diseases of
the lungs caused 82 deaths, being three less than in the week,
preceding. The unusual number of 27 infants died from con-
vulsions and teething. Delirium tremens was fatal to two
two males aged 47 and 34, the former a licensed victualler,
The temperature was low on every day except Sunday, the
mean of the week being 39 1-10 degrees, nearly 9 degrees
below that of the previous week. Mr. J. H. Weightman com—
plained of the unhealthy condition of the houses in Eaton-
place, Breck-road, from the damp state of the foundations.
The medical officer of health having inspected them, in com-
pany with the borough engineer, reports that the houses
require drainage, which cannot be effected until a sewer is
formed in the street. A case of small-pox in a registered
lodging-house has been reported to the medical officer of
health. 'The borough engineer was directed to include Eaton-
place in his estimates for the next year.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

IT is expected that his Majesty the King of the Belgians
will visit England about the middle of March.

Form customs' officers at Bristol have been summarily dis-
missed, and eight degraded, as the result of an investigation
into the recent robberies of bonded spirits in that city.
THE Wellington Colliery,, on the Tyne, has been entirely
cicsed, in consequence of the sudden rush of a great quantity
of water into it a few days ago. The horses and men were
got out with difficulty.

IN the Court of Queen's Bench, on Tuesday, the action
brought by the North Staffordshire Railway Company against
the London and North-western Company, to recover compen-
sation in damages for an alleged breach of faith, resulted in a
verdict for the plaintiffs, subject to a reference.
A LADY, the daughter of the late Mr. Samuel Blackwell, of
Bristol, has just completed her medical studies in Paris, and
obtained a diploma to practise as a physician. She has a sister
who pursued her studies also in Paris, and is acting in a simi-
lar capacity in New York, under the title of Dr. Elizabeth
Blackwell. _ _

THE French Government has resolved upon the publication
of a complete collection of the early poetry of France, and an
imperial decree to this effect has appeared in the Moniteur.
The collection will extend to some forty volumes of 60,000
lines each. It will include the epics in which the heroic ex-
ploits of the age of Charlemage are celebrated ; the satirical
poems, such as the Roman du Renart and the allegoric, re-
presented by the Roman de la Rose.
AT Nottingham, Er. Pigott, a magistrate, has been appre-
hended for attempting to shoot a sheriff's officer. The doctor
was in difficulties, and the officer came to seize his goods ;
whereupon the former presented a loaded pistol, and threatened
to fire if he did not leave the house; a struggle ensued, in
which the sheriff's officer and his man knocked the doctor
down with a poker, and disarmed hini. The doctor was
seriously hurt in the affray.

ArT architect who is gone to build a house of refuge for
Austrian pilgrims at Jerusalem is to send the foundation-
stone of a new church which is to be erected at Vienna in
commemoration of the providential escape of his Majesty from
the band of the assassin. The stone will be taken from
Cwsarea Philippi, the spot where the apostle Peter heard from
the lips of the Saviour the following words :—" On this rock
will I build my church."—Correspondent of the Times.

A WOMAN SOLD BY AUCTION.—Last Sa4urday, Chester-
field was thrown into a state of excitement, in consequence of
a report that a man was going to sell his faithless wife in the
Market-place that day. The report proved too true, and the
-neighbourhood of Glueman-gate was occupied by a large
crowd, of a rather low description, anxious to witness the
exhibition. Towards one o'clock a woman was brought out of
a house with a halter round her neck, and offered to the best
bidder. A militia-man was the successful competitor, he
having offered four and sixpence ; and she was accordingly
handed over and marched off to his billet, amidst the derisive
shouts of the mob. Such disgraceful exhibitions reflect no
credit on the authorities of the neighbourhood.
MATRIMONIAL UNION EXTRAORDINARY.—A short time
since, a loving couple were united in the holy bonds of matri-
mony by the superintendent-registrar of the district of Billes-
ton, whose united ages amounted to 161 years. This, how-
ever, is the least extraordinary portion of the affair. The
parties had lived together as man and wife fifty-four years,
and had brought up a numerous family, the wife having been
purchased, in the year 1802, for the sum of sixpence. She had,
it appeaeed, been about to be married in that year to another
man in the absence, and in consequence of the supposed death
of, her rightful husband. He, however, shortly returned with
another bride, and a dispute arose between the rival claimants
for his hand and heart. He thereupon purchased a halter for
a shilling, and sold his original spouse publicly in the town of
Kegworth, for the sum mentioned above, to the man with
whom she was first legally united but a week or two ago.—
Leicester Journal.
ALLEGED ADULTERATION OF FLOUR.—The Cork Consti-
tution has the following paragrap'i c—" A lucrative but not
very creditable description of trade has sprung up near Bally-
dehob. It consists of large quantities of barytes, which is
sent to Liverpool for the purpose, it is said, of adulterating
flour. This substance, chemically termed sulphate of barytes,
is admirably adapted for the adulteration of four, being an
impalpable powder of perfect whiteness and great density, its
weight being nearly equal to that of lead. It is not poisonous,
but being quite indigestible, its effects upon the animal eco-
nomy must be prejudicial if taken in large quantities. Some
of it is used for a more laudable purpose—the manufacture of
earthenware, for which, iu conjunction With other clays of a
silicious character, it is well adapted. Manganese is also said
to be exported to England to some extent, for the purpose of
adulterating black lead."
FUNERAL OF THE DUKE OF NORFOLK, K.G.—The re-
mains of the Duke of Norfolk, the hereditary Earl Marshal
of England, were on Tuesday consigned to the tomb at the
burial place of his illustrious ancestors, in the Fitsalan
Chapel at Arundel Church. As Earl Marshal, the chief officers
of the College of Arms assisted at the obsequies in their rich
heraldic habiliments, which imparted a funeral pomp rarely
seen but at the interment of members of the royal family.
A numerous train of relatives and friends of the late duke
were received and lodged at Arundel Castle by the Duke of
Norfolk, on Monday, preparatory to the solemnity of the
funeral rites next morning. The funeral service was read by
the Rev. A. F. Hart, vicar .of Arundel ; and at its conclusion,
immediately preceding the burial, the body was conveyed from
the nave of the church to the Fitzalan Chapel, followed by
the train of mourners, friends, and tenants of the deceased
duke. The religious service at the grave being concluded, Sir
Charles Young, Garter, pronounced the " styles" of the de-
ceased duke, when the officers of the late duke's household
broke their respective wands, and delivered the "shivers" to
Garter, who deposited them in the grave. That ancient cere-
monial concluded the funeral pageantry, when all parties
assisting in the melancholy ceremony returned to the castle.

DON'T BE 100 POSITI'VE.— EXTRAORDINARY CABS.—At
the Lambeth police-court, London, on Wednesday, Mrs. H—,
a widow of fortune, residing at Clapham, was charged with
stealing a gold watch of the value of £l2, from the person of
Mrs. G—, also a widow of respectability, in one of the
Clapham omnibuses. It appeared that, between nine and ten
o'clock on the night before, both ladies got into an omnibus
running between Oxford-street and Clapham, and, after the
vehicle had passed over Westniinster-bridge to the Surrey
side, Mrs.G— observed her gold watch all safe andattached
to the chain. On reaching that part of Vauxhall-road which
is intersected by liennington-lane, she missed it, and charged
Mrs. H—, who sat next to her, with having robbed her of
it. The lady indignantly denied the accusation, and the
other passengers expressed it to be their opinion that the
charge was unfounded. Mrs. G— as firmly persisted in her
accusation, and a ,policeman coming up, she was about to
give the accused into custody, but she consented to go to the
station-house, and the whole of the other passengers deter-
mined on accompanying her. At the Kennington-lanestation
the parties found Mr. Inspectdr Rogers on duty, and in the
presence of that officer Mrs. G— repeated the charge; but
before taking it, Mr. Rogers begged of her to search well for
the missing property, suggesting that, by mere friction, it
might have got unscrewed from the chain, and become con-
cealed either in the folds or other parts of her dress. To this
she replied that:the watch had been hooked outside her dress,
and that, therefore, it-was impossible it could have got inside
her clothes. 'The inspector still recommended a thorough
search, but was silenced hy the emphatic remark from thelady,
that " perhaps he might wish to search himself ;" and he was
left no other alternative than that of taking the charge. To
this course he was further impelled by the fact that no person
had left the omnibus,from the time the complainant had seen
the watch safe until she missed it, and therefore it must have
been taken, if at,all, by some person in the vehicle. The charge
was taken at teno'clock, but Mr. Rogers, having strong mis-
givings on the subject, alloWed the lady to sit in the reserve
room instead oflocking her up, and at eleven o'clock accepted
the bail of a clergyman and surgeon, friends of hers, for her
appearance on the following morning. Such was the state of
excitement of Mrs. G---, that she remained up until two
o'clock, when, on undressing to go to bed, she discovered the
missing watch in her dress. This was the state .of things
when the magistrate was called on to release Mrs. H— from
the responsibility of her bail, as even as from custody. Mrs.
G— expressed the deepest regret at the unfortunate .occur-
rence, and said she was most ready to. make any apology that
Mrs. H— might require. Mr. Elliott observed that the
lady who had given the charge had acted under the most per-
fect conviction that her watch had. been taken by the lady
who sat by her, and therefore, as the unfortunate circum-
stances had occurred in perfect error, .he hoped the matter
would not be carried further.—Mr. -Chester, who attended on
behalf of Mrs. H—, said that he could not at that moment
give his worship any promise or undertaking in the matter.
EXTRAORDINARY WILL CASE.—A -strange suit, worthy to
be ranked among the causes c‘Mbres of Doctors' Commons.,
was heard and determined in the Prerogative Court, on Satur-
day week. An aged and Infirm lady, the widow of a major in
the army, died at Brighton, in the month of January, 1850, at
the-advanced age of eighty-two years, leaving behind her an
only son, a captain in the Royal Artillery, and having down
to the time of her death passed as a widow, under the name of
Mrs. Major Campbell. The lady was a strict Reiman Catholic,
was attended on her death-bed by her father confessor, who
administered the last sacraments to her as Mrs. Campbell, and
afterwards performed masses for the repose of her soul under
that name. The son was present at her death, and followed
her to her grave, and the inscription on the coffin represented
her as the relict of Major Campbell. It seems by the will of
the father of the deceased, that her son was entitled to a very
considerable property upon her death, subject, however, to the
life interest of her husband, if She left any husband 'surviving
her. She had also personal property of large amount, to
which her son would be entitled if she died a widow and with-
out a will, but otherwise her husband would claim it as his
exclusive property in case of her intestacy. After the funeral
her son and the friends of the faMilY assembled to hear her
will read, when the person who was supposed to be her execu-
tor stepped forward, announced himself as her husband, and,
as such, asserted his claim to her papers and property, to the
exclusion 'of the son. The friends repudiated his claim ; but
no will could be found, and a suit for the administration of
her property ensued in the Prerogative Court, in which the
son was enabled to put the asserted husband on the proof of
his marriage. The case of the asserted husband was that, six
months before the death of this aged lady, he had taken her
in a hired carriage to the office of the superintending registrar
of the Marylebone district, and in the presence of two wit-
nesses, selected by him, strangers to the deceased, had con-
tracted a marriage with her according to the act 3f Parlia-
ment, which was purposely kept secret for fear of her son's
anger. One of these witnesses was produced, and swore that
he was not a stranger to her, but knew the lady, and the sig-
nature annexed to the entry in the book of the registrar was
sworn to be in her handwriting. It appeared further, that
her age, her residence, and the name of her father were
wrongly entered ; but the act of Parliament does not permit-a
false entry to invalidate the marriage. It was in vain for
counsel to contend that the marriage in itself was grossly im-
probable, that the parties never cohabited, never acknowledged
each other as husband and wife; on the contrary, that the
lady always treated the asserted husband as a guest at her
house, to the last moment retained the name of Campbell, and
never could have deliberately intended to disinherit her only
son, in whose arms she died, as it was proved that she ex-
pressed her warmest gratitude to a faithful servant who had
andsum ma ohnoesdt
ohferw
istonnestsooshesrpobkedesoidf e
hero
as
tatsednodahtienrgliays tfomndomofents,
her
son to the last. The asserted husband produced himself as a
witness in his own cause under the new law of evidence, and
swore solemnly that he was honestly carrying out the delibe-
rate wishes of the mother in endeavouring to deprive the son
of his inheritance. The court felt bound to penounce that
the fact of a marriage solemnised according to the act of Par-
liameet was proved, and that such a marriage was attended
with all the facie eeclesice, and acknowledged by the parties
during their lifetime. The son left the court stripped of -his
inheritance, saddled with his own heavy expenses, and with
part of the costs of his adversary.

Tu Edinburgh Town Council, by the casting vote of the
Lord Provost, have approved of the removal of the Burns
monument, and the erection of Trinity College Church on its
site. _ _ .

ME. BRIGUT, M.P.—The health of this gentleman is so
unsatisfactory as to compel him to abstain, for a time, from
his attendance upon his parliamentary duties. Mr. Bright
proceeded to London a few days ago, for the purpose of voting
on the Local Dues on Shipping Bill; but his medical attend-
ant has absolutely prohibited him from attending to business
of any description for some months to come.

A SALISBURY Ra.rEu gives the following instance of the
munificence of Madame Jenny Lind Goldschmidt :—" During
her recent visit to this city, a representation was made to her
respecting the dilapidated state of Laverstock Church, and of
the efforts which are now making to rebuild that edifice,
whereupon she most generously requested Mr. Aylward to
forward to the Rev. C. H. Townsend, the clergyman of the
parish, the sum of £25 as a donation towards the object in
view.

CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY.—With the return of the
spring the executive committee have resolved to display re-
newed activity in thesbilotment of estates. The opportunity
of acquiring the freehold franchise in three counties, namely,
South Essex, East Sussex, and West Kent, and at the same
time of securing an excellent investment in popular localities,
will be afforded on Thursday, the 3rd of April ; that day having
been fixed to offer for division, in plots of various prices, the
estates at Maldon, in Essex, Brighton in Sussex, and Forest-
hill, in West Kent.
ADULTERATION OF FLoun.—lt was stated a short time
since, that a flour-dealer, named Ginn, residing at Wakefield,
bad been fined for having in his possession a quantity of
wheat-flour adulterated with alum, and that a considerable
quantity of it had been confiscated and condemned, the re-
maining 40 bags being reserved for further analysis. The
result was reported to the magistrates at Wakefield, on Mon-
day, when the whole of the 40 bags of adulterated flour were
ordered to be forfeited and.sold for pigs.
HENRI HEINE, the celebrated German writer and poet, died
last week, after a long and painful malady of the spinal mar-
row, which had confined him to a couch for more than nine
years. His admirers say that his German versification stands
unequalled since the days of Goethe. For conversational wit
and brilliancy, Heine leaves behind him an established repu-
tation in the salons of Paris, though clouded unfortunately
by the accompaniment of those sceptical sentiments so much
the fashion in those days in the society in which he moved.

THERE has been a fatal collision on the North Staffordshire
Railway. A goods train was stopping at Longton, about
midnight, when another goods train came on, despite signals,
at thirty miles an hour, and dashed into it. The stoker of
the latter was killed on the spot, and small hopes are enter-
tained of the driver recovering. It is said they were both in-
toxicated. Two barrels of tar were burst by the collision,
and being ignited by a coal from the engine, set fire to the
train, damaging its cargo to the extent of between £4,000
and £5,000.
A SERVANT, it is decided, cannot bring an action against
his employer for an injury sustained by the negligence of a
fellow•servant. A labourer employed by Fox and Henderson,
at the Crystal Palace, named Wiggett, was killed by another
labourer dropping a piece of iron from above upon his head.
His widow brought an action for compensation against the
contractors. The jury found her a verdict for £5O. The con-
tractors, however, appealed to the Exchequer Court, where
Baron Alderson, on Wednesday, directed a nousuit, on the prin-
ciple of law above quoted.
THE bread supplied to the prisoners in the Wakefield
House of Correction has been recently found to contain alum
in such large quantities as to be injurious to health. The
magistrates having called upon Mr. Fawcett, the contractor
for the supply of flour, for an explanation of the circumstance,
the latter stated that up to about twelve months ago he was
using alum, as were most other millers; but since that time
none had been used in his mills except in one instance, and
then it was used against his orders. He accounted for the
late adulteration by saying that his man had thrown the re-
mainder of au old stock of alum (not more than 1 cwt.) into
the flour when he saw the inspector coming. Mr. Fawcett
added, that during the last twelve months he had lost a dozen
customers because he would not adulterate, although he knew
that those customers could get flour from others who would
mix it for them. _ _ _

SINGULAR CASE OF CATALEPSY.—An inquest was held on
Tuesday, at the Red Cap Tavern, Camberwell, on the body of
James Spong, aged 33, a carman. It appeared that, on Satur-
day last, the deceased was engaged in delivering some coals at
Messrs. Young's, of Denmark-hill, and, while going down the
area steps, he suddenly fell, apparently not receiving the
slightest injury. He was carried into the house, where he
expired shortly afterwards. Mr. Gaselee, surgeon, who was
called in, said that he found the deceased perfectly sensible,
but evidently incapable of the slightest motion, and totally
devoid of feeling. The death had, no doubt, been caused by
the unfortunate man falling upon his head with only, perhaps,
a slight degree of violence, but having at the time a heavy
weight on his back. The spinal marrow, from some injury,
became compressed, and rendered the living man a mere
statue. Verdict, " Accidental death."
A WIFE MAY NOT KNOW HER OWN HUSBIND.—A
most extraoridnary case of mistaken identity came on, a few
days ago, before the magistrate at Marylebone, in which
George Faber, a fishmonger, was charged by Frances Mel-
combe with being Frederic Melcombe, her husband, who,
it was alleged by her, had deserted her, in consequence of
which desertion she had to be maintained by the parish of
Marylebone. She swore positively to his being her husband;
whilst other witnesses who were present at the marriage in
1843. and one who had seen her husband embark for Aus-
tralia about five years ago, as firmly swore that he was not
her husband. The wife herself, a policeman who knew him,
and the mother-in-law of the complainant, all swore de-
cidedly to his identity. On the other hand, the person who
gave her away at the church, and others, swore that the
defeudant was not the husband; and the result was that
the action was dismissed, the poor woman to the last
persisted that she was not mistaken.

SUSPECTED MURDER OF THREE PEIISONB.—OR Tuesday,
information was received at the metropolitan police•offices of
the following persons missing, who are supposed to have been
murdered :—One was Ellen Devina, daughter of Mr. Owen
Devina, brazier, of Buttermarket-street, Warrington, who left
her home, on the 18th instant, in such a mysterious manner
as to lead to the supposition that she has been wilfully mur-
dered. She was about 18 years of age, five feet high, dark
brown hair, worn plain in front and ringlets behind; dark
hazel eyes, pale complexion, and was dressed in a red stuff
frock, an opea white straw bonnet, trimmed with green
ribbon; and wore a green fall or veil, black merino shawl,
with deep red border, and black cloth boots, laced inside. A
man, named William Lawley, a butcher by.trade, and a native
of Upper Arley, Staffordshire, is likewise supposed to have
been murdered, as he left his home on the 11th ult., and has
not since been heard of. He is 65 years of age, five feet four
or five inches high, bald-headed, gray whiskers and eyes, and
long-featured. Another person, named George Miller, left his
home in a very mysterious manner, and is likewise supposed
to hhve met with foul treatment. He was a native of Sunny-
hill, and is well known at Richmond, Ham, and Hampton.
He is about 61 years of age, five feet five inches high. He
was, when he left home, dressed in a brown coat, dark waist-
coat, blue trousers with light stripe down the sides, gray
coloured neckerchief and cap, with a red scarf.

A MISEU'S DEATg.—A singular case of self-starvation by
a miser has just occurred in Hoxton. On Tuesday afternoon,
the authorities at Robert-street station-house had their atten-
tion directed to a house in Charles-square, Pitfield-street, and
on proceeding there were informed by the neighbours that an
old man known by the name of Howe, tenant of the place for
many years, had been seen to fall violently at the entrance
door some hours previously. He nevertheless crawled into the
house, locked himself in, and then another heavy fall was
heard, since which there had been no sign of life within. The
shutters were fast closed ; and, as no answer could be obtained
to the demand for admission, the police effected an entrance to
a tenement in which it is believed not a foot, save that of its
miserable occupant, had for 12 years once stepped. A light
being obtained, in the front room ground floor was discovered
an old man, worn to a skeleton, and with a fearfully contused
eye, lying huddled on a mattress, swarming with vermin. Not
a vestige of clothing was there, and he was without any linen
on the body, which was covered by an old coat and trousers.
Applrently he was dead, but, some stimulant being applied,
he revived and became partly conscious. Mr. Coward, the
divisional surgeon, attended, and under his direction it ap-
peared probable he would recover, but long privation had done
its work, for at 6 o'clock next morning he expired. On be-
coming sensible of his approaching end, he sent for his former
employers, Messrs. Stevens and Co., booksellers, in Bell-yard,
Temple-bar; one of the firm attended, and he then admitted
that he had a considerable sum of money uear him. A book
of the Provident tank, in St. Martin's-lane, was found, in
which he was accredited to the amount of £175, and he pointed
to a heap of old papers by his side, under which was seen £l9
10s. in gold, and £6 16s. 6d. in silver, each coin being per-
fectly bright and wrapped singly in tissue. This amount he
expressed a desire to divide in equal proportions among some
neighbours who had been kind to him ; but the bank account,
together with any.other property in the place, was to go to
the Bookbinders' Almshouses, he not having a relative sur-
viving. Just before his death he raved about his gold. Four
of the rooms of the house were filled with books of value from
floor to ceiling, the worth of which, though covered with cob-
web, is, at a rough guess, about £BOO, while numerous oil
paintings hang against the walls.

COURTSHIP IN PARISIAN HIGH LlFE.—This is the way
they court in France. One lady says to another, "My
[ daughter is eighteen; she has so much." (Every girl
has a dowry; if it be but five hundred francs.) " You
have known her from a child. You see so many young
men—cannot you think of one to. suit her ? " Of course
the lady can ; for men are as eager in France to marry
•as the girls are to get husbands. It is an increase of
fortune, and a respectability in all stations, in all pro-
fessions. The young man is spoken to, and, of course, the
young lady named to him. party is given, and they meet.
Then the girl, supposed to be in entire ignorance up to
this point, is asked how she would like so and so for a
husband. Then the mamma of the bridegroom comes,
one evening, when the house has been set in order, and
everybody dressed in his best ; and, after salutation, she
rises, and, in a solemn voice, asks the hand of Made-
moiselle Estelle for Monsieur Achille. Then the Mamma,
on the opposite side of the house accepts the offer. Es-
telle weeps, and throws herself into future mamma's arms ;
whilst the son-in-law embraces the mother of his intended.
The papas shake hands ; the betrothed lovers, released from
the maternal arms, mutually bow to each other, and the
servants bring in tea. The bridegroom comes in the evening
with a grand bouquet, which he offers to Mademoiselle, flirts
an hour or two with the mother, bows to the daughter, and
goes off. The bride-elect has only to embroider quietly by
her mother's side, to smile, to blush, to simper. . Then the
negociating lady comes in great state, preceded by an enormous
trunk. Mamma and the bride receive her—never, of course,
heeding the trunk. Then the lady makes a speech, opens the
trunk. and presents the bride with a corbeille—namely, the
wedding dress, veil, and wreathe; two or three cashmere shall
;
ditto, velvet dresses ; a set of furs, a set of lace flounces, a set
of diamonds, a watch, a fan, a prayer-book, and a purse of
gold. These come from the -bridegroom. In return the lady
gets a bracelet from the bride, with many thanks for the
pretents and the husband. At last comes the signing of the
contract. The bride takes one step into the world—she re-
ceives her visitors, and speaks, nay, converses with all, except
the intended—" that" would be improper. She gives tokens
of affection to her unmarried relatives, brought from the purse
in the corbeile. The wonders'of this corbeilte are displayed
in one room, whilst the trousseau of the bride given by the
mother, is exhibited'in another. Embroidery, linen, cambric,
laces, &c.. are here lavished on the personal clothing of the
bride, made up in dozens aid dozens of each article, with piles
upon piles of table-cloths; sheets; towels, &c., all marked with
embroidered marks, and tied with pink and blue ribbons.
Then comes the civil ceremony; and two days after the last
scene of all, at which we have "assisted," in the church of St.
Sulpice.—Notes on Parisian Life.

NEW PEERAGE.—It is rumoured, says the Yorkshire
Gaze:t 2, that Richard Pemberton Mikes, Esq., of Fryston-
hall, will shortly be made a peer. It is understood that a
peerage was offered to him some time ago by Lord Palmerston,
but was then declined, owing to Mr. Milnes entertaining
opinions on public questions at variance with the government.
This difficulty, however, it is now stated, has been overcome.
A LARGE number of Greeland ships now grace our har-
bour ; a few have sailed, and one has returned south, leaky.
The Peterhead men are very noisy, especially when they get
a " peerie corn" of the peace disturber Within them, (whisky,
to wit.) They indeed appear to have no fancy for sleep, as
some of them roam the streets singing and brawling all night,
to the great annoyance of peaceable and sleep-inclined citizens.
—John Croat's Journal.
FINE AUT Gossip.—Last week the models of six new
statues, illustrating passages on the history and literature of
Great Britain, were selected by the City authorities, and the
six commissions were finally given. Mr. Baily undertakes
another Miltonic figure, " The Spirit of the Woods ;" Mr.
Wyon a statue of " Britomart," from Spencer's " Fairy
Queen ;" Mr. Theed a figure of Gray's " Bard ;" Mr. Durham
a statue of t` Hermoine," in the " Winter's Tale ;" Mr. Weekes
a figure of " Sardanapalus," from Byron's Tragedy ; and Mr.
Foley a statue—the subject of which is not yet determined.
These works are to be executed in marble, at a cost of £7OO
each.—Athenceum. [The same authority adds, that twelve of
the leading artists in the metropolis have been invited to give
in competing designs for a statue in commemoration of the late
Venerable Archdeacon Brooks, to grace a niche in St. George's
Hall. The sum at the disposal of the committee is £1,760.]

GENERAL CODRINGTON'S DESPATCHES.—The Scottish
Press says that the grammer in General Codrington's dis-
patches would disgrace a common soldier; and, referring to
the Generals's dispatch about the blowing up of Fort-Nicholas,
says :—" The light of the sun," says General Codrington,
" played beautifully on the mass of smoke, of which the lower
part lay long and heavily on its victim." The lower part of
what ? The lower part of " the light of the sun," or of "the
mass of smoke ?" We really never heard that granite walls
could become the " victim" of either light or smoke. " The
state of the docks has been given in detail in my letters.
They are all destroyed." What are destroyed ? His letters,"
or " the state of the docks," or the docks themselves ? But we
may not pursue this vein farther. There seems to us to be
clear indications in these dispatches of a want of manliness, of
nerve, of moral power, of greatness, of those qualities of mind
which, in a man placed in General Codrington's position, are
indispensable.
FRACAS BETWEEN CATHEDRAL LAY CLERKS.—The magis-
trates at Bristol have this week been engaged in investigating
a case which excited an unusual degree of interest, arising as
it did out of a Sunday quarrel and fight between two lay clerks
of the cathedral. The complaining party was Mr. Coverdale,
and the defendant Mr. Snary. It appeared that on Sunday
both complainant and accused took part in the morning service,
and that after having taken off his surplice, Mr. Snary went
to see a young lady, who was friendly with his family, home
to her residence on the College-green. It happened that Mr.
Coverdale also fancied a walk round the Green as an appetizer
for his dinner. Mr. Coverdale protests that he did nothing
whatever to annoy Mr. Snary, or his lady, while they, on the
contrary, both alleged that, as he passed them, he put out his
tongue in an insulting manner. Certain it is that offence was
taken by Mr. Snary, who, after he had left the lady at her
home, proceeded in search of Mr. Coverdale, and overtaking
him as he was going towards the house at which he was about
to dine, demanded whether he had meant to insult him. Mr.
Coverdale declined to say for what purpose he had walked
round the Green, insisting upon his right to do so ; but in the
course of the conversation, fisticuffs having been threatened,
he declared that if he was struck he should strike again. Mr.
Snary then attempted to pull his nose, and, on his raising his
arm to prevent it, be struck several blows, giving him a regular
black eye. On the part of the defendant, it was contended
that the complainant struck the first blow, but this was not
proved to the satisfaction of the magistrates, who fined the
defendant 40s. and costs. Before, however, the case came on
for hearing before the magistrates, the two lay clerks in ques-
tion had ceased to be members of the cathedral choir. It so
happened that there was a chapter meeting on that very day ;
and as the circumstances were only too well known to the dif-
ferent members of the chapter, there was not a moment's hesi-
tation as to what was to be done: both the offenders were
summarily dismissed.
TRAVELLERS' WANTS.—Water is one of the great wants in
travelling, and water is scarce in every hot country where
wells have not been made. Sometimes it must be dug for,
sometimes gathered from the cup-like leaves of great plants.
To find streams and pools, birds are the best guides, especially
towards evening. Parrots are never far from water in hours
of drought. Bathing in brackish or even salt water will tend
to allay thirst, and if a thunder-shower comes on it will be
well to follow the plan of the West Indian negroes—strip to
the skin, by which the benefit of a refreshing shower bath is
obtained, while the clothes, rolled up tight, are dry and ready
to put on when the shower ceases, and, as is not unfrequent
in tropical countries, a cold breeze comes on. This was the
plan of Mansfield Parkyns, a modern traveller in Abyssinia.
In South Africa, after a long chase, the hunters will cut open
the stomach of the white rhinoceros, and some other animals,
and drink the store of water there to be found. But the tra-
veller must beware of the black rhinoceros, which, like King
Mithridates, according to classic stories, feeds and thrives on
poison—the poisonous acacia leaves. A bucket of turbid water
may be cleared by three thimblefuls of alum, and a filter may
be made impromptu of moss, grass, and gravel, if there be
no charcoal at hand, but a few pounds of charcoal will filter
a great deal of water. Mr. Galton gives useful advice for
digging wells, for watering cattle, and for carrying water in
kegs or leather bottles. For getting water out of a river or
pool, with steep banks, we have found a barrel, strongly
hooped, fitted with an axle and rings, extremely useful. The
barrel, with long traces attached, is sunk in the river ' • when
filled, the bung is driven in, then one or more oxen attached
to the traces, and the barrel being round, rolls easily up a
steep bank along the ground, however rough, to the camp.
Two of the hoops should project an inch and a half from the
barrel, so as in some degree to protect the staves from wear
and tear. The plan is recommended to soldiers watering
from a river. The Arabs carry their leathern water flasks on
the shady side of the camel. Fire is almost as essential to
the comfort of a traveller as water, even in tropical countries.
The morning is usually intensely cold before daybreak. No-
thing can be relied on but flint and steel, and a burning-glass.
The invaluable lucifer may be lost, spoilt, or used up ; but we
learn from Galton that the wax lucifers are the best. With
these there should be a tin saucer, or some other simple safe
contrivance for shading from the wind is important. A
dozen other modes of getting a light are enumerated.
The crystalline lens of a dead animal's eye has been
successfully used as a burning-glass. Fire-sticks, lighted
by friction, are used by savages; but we never heard of a
European who acquired the knack. Tinder may be made of
cotton or linen rags. Amadou is a fungus from trees, dried,
sliced, and boiled in saltpetre. The ashes of a cigar or wet
gunpowder, rubbed into paper, will convert it into touch-
paper. To keep anything dry to light either a fire or a pipe
is very difficult when camping out during a week's rain. A
Scotch shepherd taught us to tie a small packet of tinder
under the armpit during the rainy season in the bush. This
is the plan of Highland drovers coming south. To kindle a
spark into flame our plan was to have ready a handful of dry
grass, wrap it loosely round the tinder, and then, taking it in
one hand, whirl it round and round at the full length of the
arm—first slowly and then rapidly—windmill fashion, until it
bursts into flame; this is a surer plan than blowing with the
breath. Firewood should be looked for under bushes. Dry
manure makes a fire, and is used for that purpose all over the
world. The Canadians call it bois de cache. Bones make
good fire. In the Falkland Islands they cook a bull with its
own bones and a little turf or tussock of grass. Travellers in
the' East carry prepared charcoal slung in the form of large
buttons, as a necklace. Mr. Galton's golden rule is :—Always
manage to have, if possible, a good fire towards morning.—
,Dickens's Household Words.

RAILWAY CARD SHARPRRS.—The railway gamblers, or
rather swindlers, have reappeared on the Caledonian line, in
this neighbourhood, and have been doing a large stroke of
business during the last few weeks ; for it would appear that,
notwithstanding the warnings and cautions which have been
so often given, there are gudgeons who still jump at the bait.
We have been made acquainted with some of their doings of
late, and may mention the following :—On Tuesday last, a
commercial traveller fell into the toils of one of these gangs
while travelling to this city, and was soon eased at cards of all
the ready money he had, which only amounted to a few
sovereigns. By this time the poor man was fairly under the
influence of the gambling furor, and he staked his gold
watch, at a valuation of £l5. This, of course, soon found its
way into the fob of the sharpers. The loss of the watch fell
upon the traveller with great bitterness, as it was an article
he was not disposed to part with permanently, under any
circumstances. He, therefore, entered into a negotiation
for its recovery, and it was agreed that one of the sharp-
ers should call on the following day at one of our
first-class hotels, where the traveller lodged when in Glasgow,
when he would receive Isis watch upon payment of the sum at
which it had been valued. Meanwhile our commercial gen-
tleman bethought himself, and resolved to make up in the end
for the sheepishness he had been guilty of in the beginning.
He accordingly took into his counsels a porter of Herculean
proportions, who was attached to the hotel, and it was arranged
that this man should receive and settle with the sharper when
he called. The latter made his appearance in due course,
and was shown into a room where the porter was waiting
alone to receive him. Verly little parley took place. Before
the usual salutations could be given the porter throttled
the sharper with a grip like a vice; he relieved him of the
traveller's watch, and then, hauling him by the cuff of the
neck into the passage, kicked him handsomely thence
into the street. The gambler picked himself up the best
way he could, and made off, and as yet he has shown the
wisdom of not making any formal complaint to the authorities
of the robbery. Two days thereafter the same gang was
plying its vocation on the Caledonian as briskly as ever.
They fell in with a simple little German, who was travelling
from Liverpool to Glasgow, and they soon won from him Z 5,
which was all the ready money he possessed. As in the former
case, he also staked his gold watch, which was appraised at
£lO, and this in due course left his custody. A reverend-look-
ing gentleman, who was believed to be a clergyman, also tried
his hand, upon the card trick, and lost £lO, but he acted upon
the plan that the first loss was the least, and said nothing of
the matter. The little German, however, was furious at his
loss, and when the train reached the Buchanan-street station,
the station-master and guards were put on the alert, and the
whichsharpe rtshweyerehaloa tckerdavueed,
up, was understood, in the carriage in
until the police could be sent for.
The constables made their appearance forthwith, but it was
then discovered that one of the three gamblers had contrived
to make off, and more unfortunate still, he had the watch
with him. The two fellows were then marched off to
the Cowcaddens-street station, where they readily admitted
. all that the German reported, but averred that they had
Ifairly won his watch and money by their superior style
of playing. As it seemed that there was no ground to
detain the fellows on a criminal charge, the German made an
overture to compound for his watch, and stated that if they
would call for him at his hotel he would pay them the money
for it. "No, no," said one of the sharpers, "we have had
enough of that sort of thing already. We called at an hotel
this very week and received very unhandsome usage indeed,
besides losing our watch into the bargain. But (added he
with great coolness) if you choose to send the money to our
addreSs, we will, as men of honour, transmit the watch to
this police-office, where you can call for it at your leisure."
To this the German rather demurred, and there, so far as we
know, the matter rests in the meantime. It seems that there
is some weakness in the law by which these blackguards are
not reached so effectually as they should be. But, be this as
it may, we have no sympathy for the greedy simpletons who
are preyed upon by these railway harpies. The public has
been told a hundred times to beware of fellows who produce a
pack of cards in a railway carriage, but the public plays on
notwithstanding ; and, as to those who are thus fleeced by
the sharpers, we have only to say—"Sarve them right."—
Glasgow Chronicle.