The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-11-27 00:00:00

NOVEMBER 27, 1855.]

ARRIVAL OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPS.

ON Saturday, a telegraphic message was received by Messrs.
Pilkington and Wilson, intimating that their splendid Royal
mil Packet-ship " White Star," Captain Brown, which sailed
from Melbourne on the 31st of August last, was off Cape
Clear on Thursday. The owners immediately despatched a
steam-tug to assist in bringing her into port. The " White
Star " has 95,000 ounces of gold on board, worth about
320,000, besides a large and valuable cargo, including 70
tons of copper, 1,200 bales of wool, and a great number of
Skins. She has also about 150 passengers, and may be looked
for in the Mersey in the course of to-day.
The " Oliver Lang, " belonging to Messrs. James Baines
and Co.'s " Black Ball line," which sailed from Melbourne on
the 23rd of August, was telegraphed yesterday in Liverpool,
as being off Queenstown. The wind was blowing strongly
from the east, without any indication of a change. Under
these circumstances, she was telegraphed to land her mails at
Queenstown, and in all probability they will be delivered
here in course of to-day. She has 75,000 ounces of gold on
board.

The dates by both of these ships have been anticipated via
Ceylon, by the overland mail which arrived lately.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL

SOCIETY.

fourth ordinary meeting of the session was held last
,lieht, at the Royal Institution, in Colquitt-street ; the presi-
eak R. M'Andrew, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair. Mr. Alexander
riethlingk was elected an ordinary member.
~The Rev. 14. H. HIGGINS read a highly-interesting paper on
The cultivation of Mosses," not only describing many of the
Lialieties of this beautiful and curious portion of the vegetable
dm, but also the best modes of their artificial cultivation,
asto render them an appropriate ornament fbr the drawing-
Several admirable specimens were exhibited, growing
air
spots.
air. T. C. ARCHER remarked that the sphagnum was eaten-
used in packing articles, and that other descriptions
:ere also used as stuffing for beds and cushions. He suggested
N improvements in the construction of vessels for the artit.
'llll cultivation of mosses.
J. T. ToWscit also made same remarks on the success
Which bad attended his mode of ultivation.
Bred Rev. HIGGINS Observed that he had
_bint
hdistinct varieties, growing in one case, ail ood
health.
W. W. IttwnELL, Esq., Secretary of the Compass Com-
,i'ulttee, read a paper on -the operations of that 'committee,
"eaelibing the various 'erojects which they had in view, and
the means by which they sought to attain them. One chief
81114eCt ,of investigation vas the variation in the needle of the
taaliner's eompass,'Which was gradually changing, and obser-
nil/dons were desirable, in order to supply the materials for a
._.vmart d•vatiations. They had been indebteil to Col. Sabine
er stene'valuable communications, containing most elaborate
t
lilfortaation, and Mese were open at the,difiee of the Compass
inmitteeto any one interested in the-subject. He regretted
t sufficient advantage had not been 'taken of this informa-
-316n in modertmharts, even in those issued by the Admiralty.
e suggestedlhat the date of the variation should be given
la charts, and the probable rate of Change, so as to enable
Ihipmasters to make their own ,cidoilations. These changes
are, no dMibt, caused by a change 'in the intention of the
Inagn„ eticlaile, the South moving Promto W., and the North,
4. from W.:to E. He entered into •att ingenious theory as to
the probable cause of this variationz; and at the conclusion ,df
Mt paper, which was illustratedlhytroaps and charts, received
'the thailks of the meeting.

MUSIC AiVD diliE DRAMA.

6E:ATOM° IN ST. GEOHC-,-es-HILL.-011 Thursday la
Ilia! d e s magnificent Oratorio " Israel in Egypt" was per-
`formed in St. George's-hall,-to an overflowing andiemee. The
•:Performance, as a whole, gavomueb satisfaction; and Mr. Best's
management of the organ %Off_ greatly admired, partiodlarly his
accompaniment to the grand chorus, " And there were hail-
'stones," as well as in the -sne representing the drowning of
Pharoah's host. The latter was deservedly encored. This
'oratorio. is of suck a ellaracter as to test the pogvers of the
organ, and Mr. Best managed it in such a manner as to
Theem onstrate its excellovm‘, and his great skithin•playing it.
solo singers were attentive and executed their respective
re
parts in a highly ccti,=.ble manner, while the .chorus was at
once powerful and •Offe4ive. The choristers ,cousisted of the
members of the Philharmonic Society; and the ,concert was
Conducted
b4l
.en. y Mr. .41. . Herrmann with his usual ability and
ev ,btAtoismax 'D'HERI3ILL'S Corcomtr.—On Friday
Geores-hall was again crowded by. au intelligent
deninf'l,,niring audience, to listen to the performance of Ma-
Still seue D'Herbill, a youthful pianiste .great power and
re,
greatpromise. The execution of the :music by this
. neater
unie performer was a theme of wonder and admira-
on to
en_ all who were present. Her solos were nearly all
cored, and
he fascinated as well avaktotriShea those who
!istened. The most difficult passages, and those requiring
sustained power and expression, appeared equally within her
reacb, while the truth of her intonation -was remarkable. The
&aging of Madame Bernardi was also deservedly admired
and much applauded. Of the resident instrumentalists it is
hardly necessary to say more than tihat they were, as they
Usually arg, tasteful and effective. Messrs. Baeteus and Lidel
in their duet for the violin and violoncello excited warm admi-
ration, and were enthusiastically applauded. On the organ Mr.
Best gave the rein to his fancy and feeling, and 'executed some
charming Faeces with great taste awl:judgment.
AT THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATER, Mr. Copeland continues
to attract crowded and delighted houses to witness the grand
Military spectacle of the " Fall of Sebastopol." The various
incidents and spirit-stirring struggles which characterised the
great campaign in the Crimea, and received its crowning
glory in the fall of Sebastopol, are .given with picturesque
erect and great skill. It promises to have a long and pro-.
tttable run, and continues decidedly:a favourite.
fin. H. RUSSELL AT THE CONCERT-HALL—The Concert-
hi...44 Lord Nelson-street, has been the scene of unusual attrac-
',.°ll during the past week, and itwill,'-without doubt, continue
be so during this, Mr. Henry Russell giving his musical
and pictorial entertainment every night. His performances
have, as usual, been witnessed .43. y large and applauding
audiences.
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.—This evening, a
brilliant miseellaneous concert is to be given under the aus-
Pices of the society, in their magnificent 1111. The performance
is to commence with the splendid-overture to " by
Beethoven, the principal vocalists are Madame Clam Novello,
Alias Messent..and Herr Reichardt, :and the trio for violin,
violoncello, and piano-forte, by Mayeeder, will bevlayed by
Signor Sivori, Signor Piatti, and Arthur Napoleon. This
will exhibit this interesting child in a, new. light, and will be
looked for with the greatest curiosityesolo playing and playing
In concert requiring very different powers. In lieu ,of the
overture by ,Baetens, originally advertised, Spontias grand
overture to ".Fernand Cortez" twill see given. The whole
Programme premises a first-rate eancerL
SHILLING- GRATORIES.—The Philharmonic Society have
announced the recommencement of 'their shilling oratorios.
_ andel's " Alexander's Feast' will he ',performed on Tuesday,
the 4th of December, the principal vocalists being Miee Stott,
Ryalls, and Mr. Armstrong. This oratorio being. less
mown than most of Handel's other works will confer the
Charm of novelty in the concert.

Hughes,
COLLAGE OF SURGEONS, lagLA VD.—Mr. Ambrose
I Litighes, Prince Edwin-street, Liverpool, third son of Ambrose
Hughes, Esq., Stradbally, Queen's County, has received this
diploma as surgeon from the RoyalkuiDege of SurgeeaS,
Ireland.
TILE COLLECTIOnOF CRIMEAN Pi OMO-QUA.PHS has received
considerable interesting additions since it was first opened to
the public here.: ;among these are included General Codring-
ton the commander-in-chief of the British forces in the
erilnea, Major-General Windham, the heroa the Redan, and
several other mlitasy celebrities. The exhibition continues
to be attended by crcards of gratified visitors, and as it is
now open in the evening, its popularity if ,possible seems to be
k on the increase.
SCOTCH Cittritcat, zOLDnau-srusEv.—We are informed
that the Rev. Patrick iff. Forfar has been ordained to this
Fnarge by the Presbytery of Dunfermline, and ',that he will be
inducted into the above.phurch on Sunday next, the 2nd inst.
The Rev. Cornelius ,Giffer. (the late minister) nwill preach the
"introductory sermon in dhe forenoon, and the ,friew pastor in
the afternoon. Mr. Forfar, who has been for some time
`last .assistant in the parish. of Kilwinning, in Ayrshire, was,
the,29th ult., waited on by a deputation of the congrega-
gOn of the church, and presented with a handsome gold watch
.111.14 appendages, the former„bearing the followinginscription
'Presented to the Rec' Forfar, assistant' to the Rev.
Campbell, from the 'congregation of the Palish Church,
AilwinAisx. October, 1855." The gift was accompanied by
`44 eloquent and appropriatelpelpressed address, inscribed on
'velum, in,srhich the kind wishes of the congregation were
_neartily conveyed to the rev. writleman, and many acknow-
l'ecigments of his zealous and 'Chtistisn discharge of duty.
NGVSLTY ;IN STAINED GLASS.—The coloured design pre-
'Pared by Mr. Prank Howant of Iriverpool, as a specimen of a
4,esign fora patted window in St.,G eorge's-hall, was exhibited
lodhe committee yesterday, in order; to give an opportunity of
ilPPreciating, itsaeffect before gising,the order for its execution
1,0 'stained glass. The subject represents Lord Stanley putting
the crown. on the Bead of Richmond utter the Battle of Bas-
,.,ortb- a occupies the centre windowapf the five at the side,
Vie size being 18 feet 7 inches by 8 feetOnches. It is proposed
fill the window with the single representation of the subject,
and to make the outline of the group sppport the whole of
the glass 'without any arbitrary lines, suchas sash-framing and
saddle-hars. 'When the extent of the space is considered, it
Will be seen that to accomplish this must have required con-
siderable calculation, but Mr. Howard has managed it so as to
make all subservient to the general effect. Since it was ex-
hibited for publle inspection., within the past fortnight, the
transparency has had some additional details inserted, and has
been improved in several particulars. Mr. Howard proposes
to treat all the windows in the :came way, including the large
semi-circular windows, each of which is 33 feet by 17 feet.
VernonUNCll OF A STEAMER.—OR.Satilrday, Messrs. MOMS
sV, and Son launched from their yard, at the Brunswick
'Lock, a magnificent iron screw steam-ship, of nearly 1,000
`!,,ltt measurement. The Lota—for so this handsome steam-
vs kP was named—is 210 feet long, .30. fort beam, 19 feet deep,
tabout 950 tons measurement, and has direct action engines,
Y Hawks, Crawshay, and Co., of Newcastle, of the collective
'llwer of 110 horses. She is built to the order of W. J.
rjers and Co., of Liverpool, and will proceed to the west
rat of South America with a cargo ; but she is built specially
chef the conveyance of coals on that coast, Valparaiso being her
port. She is built with two compartments, in each of
can be stored 500 tons of coals; and there will be ample
room besides for general goods. The Leta, so called after one
wthe towns to which she will ply, is provided with tanks for
tee ballast, which will enable her to go to sea with safety
open she is only light. Another desideratum is the adoption
Taylor's patent steam crane, with several of which this 1
iTsel is fitted, and there will consequently be a great decrease
manual labour in discharging the cargo. The boilers are
eby Messrs. Vernon. It is worthy of notice that the keel
tzLats monster ship was only laid in July last, and that she is
i Petted to be on her way to South America before this year
oaxvout. Such dispatch as this cannot be overlooked by ship.
iel's some of whom hitherto have wandered far from Liver-
and fared certainly not better than they would have done
theY encouraged local talent.