The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-12 00:00:00

FEBRUARY 12, 1856'1

ERPOOL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY.

Monthly meeting of this society was held last night at,
eßoYal Institution, in Colquitt-street, Mr. Thomas Edwards,
ci tile Liverpool Gas Company, in the chair.
h., 16- Boum, said he begged to introduce to the society a new
°4i cal called The Engineer, which he considered would
"e of great value to practical men.
~,_llO SECRETARY (Mr. Salt) exhibited a small and convenient
71101EttIS for enabling the traveller or sportsman to obtain an
41boat instant supply of hot water.
4".4r. JACKSON repeated the experiment of a former evening,
glow that where a jet of gas, in which common air was
!red, was divided by platinum wire, the light was more in.
svqle than from a jet of pure gas not so divided.
B°l4e discussion took place as to the probable cause of this
"Proreaz,_ ent in the illuminating power of the gas.
The CHAIRMAN said that in all cases a low pressure enabled
4 gaS burner to give 'more light than when subject to a high
tt'eBBttre ; and he thought it probable that the improved light
je,
applicatienthe of the platinum wire was owing to the
'ter supply of oxygen, and the consequent increase of com-
rtition.
AltßigtAli, Mr. BOULT, Mr. J. B. EDWARDS., mid other
tentletnen offered some remarks upon the subject, the general
ion bang that the increased light was owing to the
ilitYairorded by the wire for the passage of oxygen to the
ta e, so as to render the combustion of the gas more com-
,ittl
ete• The discovery has this advantage, that the consump-
heagas might be economised by the admixture of atmos-
rie air.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that it would be advisable if Mr.
Jerson would test by experiment the comparative quantity
a
r intensity of the heat with and without the wire, and also
comparative illuminating power according to the ordinary
fists.
rz answer to a question, Mr. JA.CKSON said that the size of
*le Wire employed should depend on the size of the burner.
jbanks were voted to Mr. Jackson for bringing the subject
de fore the society, and the meeting shortly afterwards
'TPArated.

LAUNCH OP GUN BOATS AT

BIRKENHEAD.

A short time since Mr. John Laird, of Birkenhead, 'received
%I's from the Lords of the Admiralty for the construction of
feral gun-boats, to be built with the greatest celerity.' He
ie
1414edia' tely constructed two large sheds, capable nf covering
Workmen engaged in the building of four of these gun-
hl4•43 and sufficiently lighted with gas to enable the work to
"carried on day and night. This has been done.; and yes-
7a3' the first two of these boats were launched, about one
Le'll3e.k. The weather was threatening, and before the hour
on for thelaunch rain began to full fast; notwithstand-
t,4l Which a large concourse of people was assembled to witness
interesting ceremony. Both vessels had been built on the
°elDe line, and both were launched from the same ways. The
at Was named the "Beacon," the ceremony ofnaming being
ormeolUby Mrs. Bevis, wife of Captain Beiis, R.N., the Ad-
-4ra', tY Transport Agent for Liverpool. The second was
'lned the " Brave," by Miss Laird. These vessels are timber
alt
of .great strength, and with a light' draught of water.
44e9 are screw steam vessels of 220 tons 'burthen each, and
.4le screw in each is worked by an engine of 60-horse power,
tle by Messrs. Penn and Son, of London. They are to be
ggged as three-masted schooners, with fore and aft canvas,
td each is to lie armed with two guns of the largest calibre.
e two launched yesterday had their engines on board, and
" strew-fans fitted.

4Other two are so far advanced that they will be ready for
lintiling in a few days. The framing and ribs of several
hers are put together partially, and every means is being
.74 to expedite the completion of the order. Besides these
'boats, Mr. Laird has also a contract for a number of iron
mortar-boats, of great strength and a light draught of water.
'tveral of these are also in an advanced state of forwardness.

-- - -
ijakDlES' COLLEGE INLivsurooL.---By an advertisement'
%Will be seen that a Ladies' College, on the same plan as
Ole which have been carried on so successfully in London,
Zlnburgh, and Glasgow, is -about to be opened in -Black-
se,
tv,w OMBWELL'S MENAGERIE.—This famed collection of wild
I‘..‘; Curious animals is on view, at the bottom of Shaves Brow,
le-street. This numerous .and valuable collection is parti-
4,„rlY rich in lions, tigers, panthers, and leopards ; and in-
liZLeel also an extensive and varied aviary, and a large num-
''„,of reptiles.
41LE Crreurrr, Whieh holds its annual meeting
ro Thursday next, at the Blue'Coat Hospil extendedo existed
sixty years, during which time it has its aid to
°tsands of the suffering poor of our town, at periods when
distance has been most needed. We trust that its funds
I°4l not be suffered to fail for 'want of the support of all who
41'e able to afford .

less os Peluarumm--,A return just made shows that
total number of acts passed last session amounted to 355,
'4, which 134 were public, 198 local and personal acts, and 23
Illi_Vate acts. The number in .1854 was 388 ; irt.1853, 399; in
3652, 278 ; in 1851, 278; and in 1850, 253. In ,1845 it was
2-; in 1840, 297 ; in 1830-81, 107 ; in 1825, 416 ; in 1814-15,
in; in 1813-14, 488 ; in 1812, 454; and in 1801, -386. In
°7 460 acts were passed; and in 1846, 570. These figures
,_ut. give some idea of the average result of Parliamentary
.'sllloris as far as the fruits of legislation are concerned.

SARDINIAN IN DITTIOULTIES.-Giovanni Burgh, who
stated he was an officer iu the Sardinian army, was charged
before the police-court, yesterday, with having stolen a pair
;4' boots from the shop of Mr. Preston, in Whitechapel, on
Kturday. The prisoner went into the shop, and desiring to
La, shown some boots, he contrived to conceal a pair and
iZuked off with them. The boots were immediately missed,
Prisoner was followed, and taken with the boots under his
Elg. The prisoner, who was respectable in his appearance
img manner, did not deny the ,offence
res, but said he had been
alneed to commit it by extreme dists, he having lost £lO,
on his passage from America. He was remanded to
all°lv inquiries being made.
enuncu PASTORAL-AID SOCIETY.-We understand that
tnevv plan is to be adopted at the anniversary -meeting of
e Church Pastoral-Aid Society, on Monday evening next.
Each member of the deputation will take up a distinct sub-
as the ground of his address., The Rev. E. Auriol will
ee, e"--" The moral and social condition of the great masses the
lf cause of social and religious evils ;"the Rev. G. S. Ball
vi
Mu`.'l take--" The adaptation of the lay-agency of the Church
oral-Aid Society to remedy these evils ;" and the Rev. J.
4* ,Titcomb will take-" Clerical pastoral work." Such a
I°niiion of labour can hardly fail both to increase the interest
°le meeting and to shorten its duration.
erIAMBEE OF COMMERCE.-The first meeting of the council
knee the annual general meeting was held yesterday. Charles
Tolland, Esq was ;andsunanouly -elected president ; John
tQll', Esq., ice-president John Aikin, Esq,, treasurer
:I, the ensuing year. The committees were re-appointed,
-zvhich the resolution of the general meeting on the
metal arraneements was read and referred to the postal corn-
-1 tee. It was ordered that a representation be made to the
,Qard of Trade on the subject of an earlier publication of
tiliadical returns relating to trade and shipping. Among
communications was a letter from the Birmingham Cham-
j, of Commerce on the income tax, referred to a special com-
lt"tee. The Partnership Amendment and Joint-Stock Corn-
-I,4ljeg' :Bills were referred to the committee on commercial
PLR .BANK of ENGLAND.- From a return issued on
bafiarday, it appears that the amount of Exchequer or Treasury
18 Pnrchased by the Bank of England, or on which any sums
1,,t0 lent for the public service during the past year 1855, was
e,,,,`,,,883;950, all of which was paid or discharged, with the ex-
-1)-"'Von .of £997,448. The balance of sums remaining in the
IEIIIK as unclaimed dividends amounted, on the sth of January,
(,°6, to £136,380 ; on the 9th of October, 1855, to £96,504 ;
4,, the 6th of January, to £991,582 ; and on the
I„3(1 of July, to £90,286 ; and on the sth of April, 1855,
t 162,360. The remainder of the sum was advanced to
°l7ernment. The sum total of unclaimed dividends amounted,
athe sth of July last, to £1,008,571. During the year it
applications
that the Chancellor of the Exchequer made several
1/edeations to the bank for advances on Exchequer bills,
,T * :-
2(1On the 9th of March, for one of £1,000,000; on the
01„'4 of March, for one of £1,500,000; on the 7th of April, for
44,1 of £1,000,000 ; on the 12th ofJuly, for one of £1,000,000;
" on the 11th of October, for one of £1,000,000.
f0,„,,n ARMY IN THE CRIMEA. - The several regiments
'ulng the army in the Crimea are distributed as follows :-
zie Light Division, Ist Brigade-7th and 23rd Fusileers,
R4lll and 34th Regiments, and the 2nd Battalion Rifle Bri-
t4,,'° ; 2nd Brigade-19th, 77th, 88th, 90th, and 97th Regi-
b;llta ; two Batteries, E and Y, of Artillery. The First
c64,sion, Brigade of Guards - 3rd Battalion of Genadier
aMB, Ist Battalion Coldstreams, and Ist Battalion Scots
paB Reer Guards ; 2nd Brigade-The 9th, 13th, 31st, and 56th
'4gitnents, and X Battery of Artillery. Second Division, Ist
.gade-3rd (Buffs), 30th, 55th, and 95th Regients ; 2nd
11:1,44,de-41st, 47th, 49th, and 62nd Regiments; B and G
liirties of Artillery. Third Division, Ist Brigade-4th,
384,", .39th, and 50th Regiments ; 2nd Brigade-18th, 28th,
~'") and 44th Regiments ; E and IV Batteries of Artillery.
te,,1111 Division, Ist Brigade-17th, 20th, 21st, 57th, and
11'; Regiments ; 2nd Brigade-46th, 480, 68th, and Ist
-ttalion Rifle Brigade. Highland Division, Ist Brigade-
-79th,92nd, and 93rd Highlanders ; 2nd Brigade-lst
2nd Battalions Ist Foot, 71st and 72nd Highlanders-
tt: former is at Yenikale ; A and H Batteries of Artillery.
Val Artillery-11 Field Batteries, A, B, E, F, G, H, I', Q,
Y; two heavy brigades-J and V Batteries (Karanyi) ;
2,a- and a half Troops Horse Artillery (A I), (Karanyi) ; and
tteie,ompanies Siege Train, 18 of which are at Balaklava
(quts. Royal Engineers, I.st (Balaklay.a), 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
bi,.astopel), 7th, Bth, 9th, (Highland Division), 10th (Light
411.t.isj°n), and 11th (Sebastopol), Companies of Sappers and
.21.1;1`1.8. At Balaklava-18 Companies of Artillery and the
ki- and 89th Regiments. The Cavalry are stationed at Scu
Iti) the Ottoman Contingent are at Kertch, the Osmanl_
,„,,...tnlars at Varna, the British German Legion at Kululeei

•
RYALLS' PIANO-FORTE AND MUSIC
• REPOSITORY,
28, HAMILTON-STREET,
(NEAR WOODSIDE FERRY,)
BIRKENHEAD.
441' takes this opportunity of returning thanks to his
eroia
eet, customers, and hopes by keeping only a personally
,4 '4 Stock of Instruments of the First Class, combined with
t:ls.t Moderate Charges, to merit a continuance of the patron-
Gr bestowed on him.
tAii,;(l, Semi-grand, Cottage Grand Square, and Square
.2'"FORTES, from the :Mannfactories of Broadkood,
Col-
Nitke44 Collard, Allison, Hopkinson, and other eminent London
sb
Q 4,11914. D. HAND PIANO-FORTES, by Broadwood, Collard
0,1 Avard, etc., at greatly Reduct,d Prices.
Igq`,9,-FORTES and HARMONIUMS for HIRE, by the
Itit.lonth, or Year.
7nnillmo Thle:r