The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-19 00:00:00

THE LIVERPCOL STANDARD.

EDWARD Swouns, charged with entering the house of John
Hopking, of Ormakirk, breaking open a chest, and stealing
£7 10s. in gold therefrom, has been committed for trial at the

Kirkdale sessions.

- -
THE SPIRIT OF THE DEEP, of Liverpool, Hewitt, from
Canton, has arrived in the Downs, having made the voyage
hence to Calcutta, China, and London, in seven months and
twenty days, exclusive of detention in port.
Lin swift boats from Runcorn to Manchester, via Lymm,
in consequence of the Bridgewater canal having been taken on
lease by the North Staffordshire railway company, ceased to
run on Saturday.
- -•-

Mr. SEPTIMVS TEBAY, twenty-seventh wrangler in the
last Cambridge list of honours, was originally a labourer in a
mechanics' shop at Preston, and had received scarcely more
than the ordinary education of that class.
THE Liverpool and Philadelphia line of steamships which
were chartered for the French transport service on outbreak
of hostilities with Russia, will presently resume their old
station, and one of them, the city of Baltimore, Captain Leitch,
is expected to leave Liverpool for Philadelphia in the course of
another month.

RAPID PAssAcas.—The new iron ship Ellen Bates, of this
port, arrived here on Friday morning , with a cargo of cotton
from New Orleans, after a remarkably rapid passage of 25
days 10 hours, having left the bar at New Orleans at 5 p.m.
on the 20th ult.—The screw-steamer Edinburgh arrived at
Greenock on Friday morning, in 11 days 22 hours, from
New York.

STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH CANADA.—The first of six
new screw steamers to run between Canada and Liverpool
will commence operations on the 23rd of April, when the
North America will leave Montreal for Liverpool, returning
from this port on the 24th of May. When all the steamers of
the line are built, the communication by them will be semi-

monthly.
ST. GEORGE'S HALL AND THE PRESS.—A memorial is being
distributed amongst the newspaper proprietors of Liverpool,
by the Press Association, soliciting their co-operation in a
representation to the town council relative to the seats for the
reporters in the law courts of St. George's-hall. Appended to
the memorial are a number of letters, setting forth the incon-
veniences and annoyances to which reporters have been sub-

jetted.
RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.—The London and North-western
Company conveyed in and out of the Lime-street station, in
this town, in the month of December, the large number of
2800 troops, 300 officers, and above 600 followers, without
accident or interruption to their ordinary public service, ,and
many hundreds being conveyed at one time and without prior
notice, under the management of Mr. Palmer, the superin-
tendent, and of Mr. Brooks, of Euston-station.
OPENING or THE ASSIZES.—The Deputy Prothonotary has
issued the usual circular, which states :—ln pursuance of the
rule of court of March assizes, 1842, the causes intended to be
tried at Liverpool will be entered in the following order :-
Ist list, Salford hundred. 2nd list, West Derby hundred, or
elsewhere. The entry of causes at Lancaster will close at
nine o'clock on Tuesday morning the 19th instant, and at
Liierpool at twelve o'clock at noon, on Monday, the 24th of
March. The causes in the 2nd list will not be called on for
trial before Wednesday, the 26th of March. The business of
the public offices will be transacted at Preston during the
assizes, as usual.
LIVERPOOL GUARDIAN SOCIETY.—The thirty-third anni-
versary of this society was celebrated on Thursday, by a
dinner at the Angel Hotel, Dale-street ; J. Wrenn, Esq., the
president, in the chair. Amongst the other gentlemen present
were the vice-president, Mr. Upton, Messrs. Steel, Crossley,
Pemberton, D. Evans, Kitchen, Jos. Thompson, Lillyman,
Dooley, S. Moss, James Evans, H. E. Brown, G. Jones, E.
Jones, J. Reay, J. B. Reay, J. Smith, Johnson, (Leeds,) and
Cottam, (Manchester.) The dinner, which embraced every
delicacy of the season, was served up in the most admirable
manner, and, as well as the wines, gave the greatest satis-
faction.
KDIRDALR READING-ROOM.—The fifth lecture in connec-
tion with this institution was delivered on Tuesday, by Pro-
fessor G. Calvert, of Manchester. The subject was "The
Ocean," which he treated in a most interesting and practical
manner, illustrating hiS various points by experiments. He
treated of iodine, the formation of coral, the various salts con-
tained in sea-water, &c. The lecture was listened to through-
out with the greatest attention, the assembly every now and
then manifesting their pleasure by applause. Mr. Alderman
Dover was in the chair.
lavEßrooL REFORM ASSOCIA.TION.—The annual meeting
of this body was held on Wednesday, at the rooms of the
association ; Mr. Thomas Brocklebank in the chair. The
proceedings comprehended little more than the reading and
adoption of the annual report, and the election of officers for
the ensuing year. The report here testimony to the valuable
services rendered by Mr. Ewart, M.P., who, it appeared from
the treasurer's statement, had given a donation of £l5O to
the association funds. Mr. Thomas Brocklebank was re-
elected president, and after a variety of complimentary votes,
the proceedings closed.
CRUELTY TO SEAMEN.—Captain Isbester, and the mate,
Louis Buchanan, of the ship Kedjeree, were summoned before
Mr. Mansfield, by George Morris, a seaman of the same ship,
who charged them with putting him in irons, lashing his
hands, and gagging him without provocation. The captain
and mate called several witnesses who proved that the crew
had been very insubordinate during the voyage, and that the
complainant was one of the chief movers in it. Mr. Mans-
field fined each £2 and costs, as the captain had received great
provocation ; but still they were not justified in using such
great violence.
THE MANCHESTER STRIKE.—The strike of spinners at Man-
chester, which has now lasted nearly thirteen weeks, has not
yet been brought to a close. There was a meeting of about
_ 300 only on Wednesday night, at which it was complained
that while on the one hand the spinners in work did not sup-
port those on strike so liberally as they ought, unauthorised
persons, on the other hand, were waiting on shopkeepers and
getting money iii the name of the turnouts. Great dissatis-
faction was expressed by the meeting with the committee
managing the strike, and a metion was made for its dissolution.
Much confusion and recrimination between parties present at
the meeting followed, and the meeting was ultimately dis-
solved by the platform lights being extinguished before a vote
could be taken.

- -
SUSPICIOUS CASE.—At the Police-court, on Friday, Ber-
nard Carney, marine store dealer, in Chisenhall-street, and
William Hayes, dock porter, were charged by detectives Astic
and Thompson, under the following circumstances:—The two
detectives having received information of a number of rob-
beries of copper nails and bolts, went iu search of the property.
In a cellar in Titchfield-street, occupied by Carney, a large
quantity of copper and brass bolts were found. Carney could
not account for the possession of that property in his books,
which a marine store dealer is bound to keep. He was taken
into custody, and lodged in the bridewell. The two detectives
went back to watch his house, to see if any person brought
any goods there ; while watching, about ten o'clock on Friday
morning, they saw the prisoner Hayes going towards the
house; they stopped Lim, and upon being searched, 291bs.
of copper nails were found in a handkerchief in one of his
pockets. He could not account for having the nails in his
possession. Hayes was sent to gaol for two months, and
Carney was remanded.
LADIES' CHARITT.—On Thursday, the annual meeting of
the friends of the above charity was held at the Blue Coat
Hospital. Mr. G. W. Moss took the chair. The secretary,
Mr. C. J. Smith, read the report. It referred with plersure to
the present condition of the institution. It was true that the
amount of annual subscriptions was smaller than it had been
since 1832, yet, upon the whale, the year bad been a favour-
able one, as the funds received from casual sources, including
the ball, had increased, and there was a handsome balance in
favour of the charity. The number of patients relieved during
the year was 1369, being an increase of 131 over the preceding
year. The treasurer's report enumerated the yearly subscrip-
tions as £431 2s. 6d., receipts from ball £237, and the total
amount, including a balance from last year, at £1,248 ls.
10d. The expenditure left a balance of £384 9s. 10d. in the
hands of their banker. Resolutions of thanks to the various
officers and committees having been adopted, and the commit.
tees and officers for the ensuing year appointed, the meeting
next agreed to appoint Mr. Batty consulting-surgeon of the
institution, in consideration of his valuable services as visit-
ing-surgeon for a period of 30 years. It was also agreed to
fund £3OO of the money iu hand, for the benefit of the charity.
THE HIBERNIAN SCHOOLS.—On Thursday, the annual
meeting of the friends and supporters of these schools was
held in the school-room, Pleasant-street, William Rathbone,
Esq., in the chair. The Committee of the Hibernian Schools,
having superintended their operations for another year, pre-
sented a report to the subscribers, from which it appeared that
the number of scholars on the books at the end of 1855 was
449—viz , in the upper school 97 boys and 41 girls, total, 138 ;
middle school 90 boys and 72 girls, total, 162 ; infant school
83 boys and 66 girls, total, 149. Grand total, 449. This is
about the same number that the school has contained for seve-
ral years past. Mr. Davis, late of Staleybridge, entered on his
duties as master of the high school at midsummer, and since
then he has taken the degree of BA., of the London Uni-
versity. The committee express great confidence in Mr.
Davis's labours. During the year improvements had been
effected in the school, at a-cost of £l3O, which would have to
be raised by special donations. The treasurer's account showed
a deficiency in the income, as compared with the regular ex-
penditure, during the past year, of £166 16s. 9d.
A NEW MATERIAL.—Mr. F. J. Eaton, of Exchange-
chambers, has received a sample of a vegetable product which
is calculated to become an important article of commerce, inas-
much as while its price is trifling and the supply abundant, it
is adapted to the manufacture of articles, the material for
which has hitherto been comparatively dear and scarce. The
product in question grows wild in Mexico, and is called by the
natives of that country " Pita." It is extracted from the
Maguay plant by the beating process, similar to that adopted
with flax, and it resembles much the best quality of horse-hair.
It is beautifully white,clear, and tenacious, and is adapted to the
manufacture of brushes, as well as to all the purposes for which
horse-hair is used, while the price is infinitely less, and the
quantity in which it can be procured infinitely larger than
those of the materials of which brushes and hair fabrics are
usually made. We understand that the "Pita" first found
its way to the United States, but its value there not being
appreciated, it was exported to this country, where there is
now an eager demand for it. When manufactured, into
brushes particularly, the material is found to be exceedingly
durable.
HEALTH COMMITTEE.—The weekly meeting of this com-
mittee was held on Thursday, at the Town-hall. Mr. Alder-
man Langsdale presided. The sub-committee recommended
that proceedings be taken against Mr. Mellor, as to houses in
Brancker-street. It appeared that Mr. Mellor had built on
one side of the street, and had encroached upon the street so
as to leave it only 20 feet 5 inches wide, whereas the law
requires that no street shall be of less width than 30 feet.
The Town-clerk was instructed to carry out the recommenda-
tion of the sub-committee. Mr. Gladstone moved—" That
the following members form a sub-committee to take into
consideration the unhealthiness of the present Town Council-
room, and to suggest a remedy, to be submitted to the Town
Council for their approval :—Messrs. James Holme, Sheil,
Halhead, Tinne, Crosthwaite, and M`Guffie." Mr. Halhead
seconded the motion, and Mr. Tinne supported it. Mr.
Gladstone's name having been added to the proposed sub-
committee, the resolution was unanimously agreed to, and
the meeting shortly afterwards broke up. The medical officer
reported that, in the week ending the 9th instant, there was
an increase in the mortality of the borough in consequence of
the cold weather which prevailed from the 29th January to
the sth instant inclusive. The deaths from all causes were
240, being 36 more than in the preceding week, but six less
than the corrected average of the same week of the preceding
eight years. The increased mortality arose almost entirely
from diseases of the lungs, which caused 98 deaths, against 75
in the previous week. The deaths from fever during the
week were lower than were ever previously recorded. The
temperature during the early portion of the week was 6 deg.
below the average. The horizontal motion of the air averaged
426 miles dairy.

Mr. WILSON Gums, who has resigned the appointment as
shipwright surveyor for this port, has- received the following
gratifying letter from the Board of Trade :—"Sir,—l am directed
by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter resigning your appoint-
ment as shipwright surveyor for the port of Liverpool. Their
lordships desire me to express to you their approbation of the
manner in which you have at all times discharged the duties
of the office which you now resign. My lords, however, hope
that you will continue your services until the appointment of
your successor.—l am, sir, yours, &c., JAlsss Boont."
" CIIEMISTS' AssocuTrors.—The fortnightly meeting of this ,
society was held on Thursday, at the Royal. Institution, the
president, Mr. Abraham, in the chair.—The secretary ex-
hibited a comb and brush, each containing a small galvanic
battery, for applying a galvanic current of air to the skin of
the head.—Mr. H. S. Evans, F.C.S., read an interesting and
important paper on the " Natural History ,of the Cinchona
Barks," which was illustrated by a series of barks authenti-
cated by J. E. Howard, Esq., and presented to the museum
by J. Evans, Esq., of London.—Mr. Rowland exhibited and
explained his micro-photographic and enlarging apparatus,
(adjourned from last meeting), and practically showed its
mode of working. The thanks of the meeting were passed to
Messrs. Evans and Rowlands, for their communications, and
, also to the donors to the museum.

SEAMEN REFUSING TO WORK.—At the Police-court, on
Friday, thirty-two seamen, of the Donald Wiley, were charged
by Captain Warner, of that ship, with refusing to do duty.
Detective Wilson said, having received information that a
number of seamen belonging to the Donald M'Kay were
refusing to work, he, in company with twenty police-officers,
proceeded to the ship and apprehended them. Captain
Warner stated that nine of his crew refused to do work on
Thursday morning before breakfast, and the rest of the ac-
cused joined them after breakfast. He added that he sailed
on the 13th instant, for Mobile, and put back on the 14th,
owing to the bad weather ; and as he was putting back the
crew refused to work. As he intended to sail again on Sun-
day, it would be a great hindrance to him if he had to find
another crew. He thought it was a trick of the seamen to
obtain the advance money, which some bad obtained for one
and others for two months. When.the seamen were asked
the reason of their " turn-out," they all replied that the ship
was too lightly manned. This the captain denied, observing
that she had a larger crew than ever she had before. Mr.
Mansfield asked them if they were willing to go back to their
ship. They all refused. Mr. Mansfield committed them for
twelve weeks.

LIVERPOOL INDUSTRIAL RAGGED SCHOOLB.—The seventh
annual meeting of these schools was held on Wednesday, in
the schoolroom, Soho-street. From the report it appears
that since the schools were opened, in March, 1849, 1358
children have been admitted, of whom 341 have been sent to
situations. The treasurer's account shows that the net earn-
ings of the children were £127 3s. 3d. • and independent of
this, the girls had made 188 shirts, 158 chemises, 63 petticoats,
19 pairs of sheets, 60 frocks, 147 aprons 33 pinafores, 48 hand-
kerchiefs, 30 bed-ticks, 104 blouses, and 48 towels, which, if
paid for at a very low price, would amount to £ll 13s. Bd.
The total number of children admitted during the year 1855
was 362, of whom 242 were boys and 120 girls. The average
number who have slept in the house was 26, of whom 11 were
girls and 16 boys. The number of boys employed in various
occupations on the premises is 112, and girls 58. Amongst
the children admitted 62 have gone to situations, 6 sent to
their own parish, 6 gone to other schools (their condition hav-
ing been improved), 8 left Liverpool, 114 left school of their
own accord, 1 died, 6 left sick ; making a total of 192, of whom
62 were girls and 130 boys. The total amount of subscriptions
and donatibns received during the last year has been'£7l4 175.;
received from children's parents, £7 6s. The whole amount
received by the treasurer has been £1,299115. 5d.; the balance
due to the treasurer is £174195. 10d. Among the donors are
Thomas D. Anderson, Esq., £100; Mr. George Arkie, £10;
Mrs. D. Bourne, £5; and Mr. John Drinkwater, £5.

WRECKS AND CASUALTIES.—A return has just been
printed of the wrecks and casualties on or near the coasts of
the United Kingdom, in 1855. The result is deplorable. The
total number of wrecks and casualties were 1,141, of 176,544
tons. Of the vessels, 963 were British, 11 colonial, and 116.
foreign ; of .which number were totally wrecked 272, stranded
and recovered 246, stranded (but whether totally or partial
loss not reported) 167, totally lost in collision 55, seriously
damaged in collision 178, slightly damaged in collision 14,
leaky and foundered 49, leaky and put back to discharge and
repair 47, destroyed by fire 14, found " derelict" 19, dis-
masted and otherwise damaged 49, abandoned 20, capsized
and sunk 9, seriously damaged by spontaneous combustion of
cargo 2. Of these 676 occurred on the east coast, 251 on the
west coast, and 117 on the south coast, of Great Britain ; 127
on the Irish coast ; 10 off the Scilly Islands ; 6 off the
Channel Islands 34 off the Northern Islands, viz., Orkneys,
Shetland, and Hebrides ; 13 off the Isle of Man ; and 7 off
the Lundy Island. In 1855, the total number of lives lost was
469 ; in 1854, 1,549 ;in 1853, 689 ;in 1852, 920. The
number of collisions reported is greatly on the increase, being
247 against 94 registered in 1854, 73 in 1853, and 57 in 1852.
This increase is, perhaps, attributable, in part at anv rate, to
the same cause as that of the number of wrecks above-
nientioned. Total amount paid to life-boats during the year
£582 3s. Bd.; total amount as rewards for saving life, £655 3s'

WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—Mr. Harrison presided at the
weekly meeting of the guardians on Wednesday, when the
balance in the hands of the treasurer was found to be
£491 18s. 4d. The guardians having considered the letter
from the Poor-law Board, dated the 12th instant, on the sub-
ject of the dietary table proposed by the guardians for the idle
and refractory inmates of the workhouse, make the following
reply:-Ist. That the Poor-law Board is not asked to sanction
a difference. in the diet for a particular class of paupers in the
workhouse, when such difference is made to depend upon the
moral character of the paupers, or their conduct, previous to
their becoming inmates of the workhouse ; but, on the con-
trary, intend such proposed dietary for that class only who are
idle and refractory in the workhouse. 2nd. That the guardians
are of opinion that workhouses should be so conducted as to
provide a suitable asylum for the aged and deserving, but un-
fortunate poor, who are destitute of home and friend, and whose
only crime is their poverty ; wilke, at the same time, it sup-
plies a test for the able-bodied, idle, and profligate; and the
guardians of this union will never sanction, or assist in carry-
ing out, a system which treats upon an equality two classes so
widely different in character.
COLONEL WILSON PATTEN.—The following General Order
has been issued, dated Horse Guards, Feb. 91—The Field-
Marshal Commanding-in-Chief has great pleasure in com-
municating -to the army the following garrison order, issued
by Lieutenant-General Sir James Fergusson, Governor of
Gibraltar :—Gibraltar, Jan. 16. The Lieutenant-General
Commanding cannot allow the departure of Colonel Wilson
Patten without expressing his regret at losing his services and
assistance. Colonel Wilson Patten has devoted his time and
energies so unceasingly to the training of his officers and men,
and has shown so good an example in coming out with his regi-
ment, when, from other duties, it could not have been expected
from him, that the Lieutenant-General Commanding feels it
incumbent on him to express his high sense of the service he
has rendered to his Queen and country, and he will not fail to
notify to the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief the favour-
able opinion he has formed of Colonel Wilson Patten and the
3rd Royal Lancashire Regiment.—J. FIIRGIISSON, Lieut.-
General.—The valuable services of Colonel Wilson Patten,
and the zeal and exertion he has evinced in bringing his regi-
ment to its present high state of discipline and efficiency have
been, on other occasions, most favourably brought to the
notice of the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, and his
lordship feels that he can in no way better mark his approval
than by thus promulgating Lieutenant-General Sir James
Fergusson's order, so creditable to Colonel Patten and the
militia service. By command, &c.

LIVERPOOL INSTITUTION FOR THE TRAINING- AND EM-
PLOYMENT OF NURSES. —The first annual meting of the sup-
porters of this institution was held at the Slater-street Insti-
tution-house, on Friday ; Mr. Edward Cropper in the chair.
The report stated that a large number of applicants for admis-
sion to the institution had been found quite unfit for the duties
of nurses, and that the period of two months probation was
found most necessary and useful, many nurses who came with
high testimonials having during that period been found quite
unqualified. Six nurses now in the house had passed their pro-
bation, and two others had been engaged to enter it. A con-
siderable number of patients had been assisted gratuitously,
and the number attended for small fees was as large as could
be expected, the nurses being scarcely at home two days to-
gether. The demand, in fact, had been greater than the in-
stitution could supply. But the current expenses of clothes,
salaries, &c., were so heavy., that unless the subscriptions came
in more freely the establishment could not be maintained. An
urgent appeal was made by the committee for increased sup-
port, and the document closed with a number of testimonials
to the efficiency of various nurses supplied by the establish-
ment. The treasurer, Mr. J. Cropper, read the statement of
accounts, which showed that the expenses during the year had
been upwards of £2OO. The furnishing of the house had cost
£141; housekeeping, £B5 18s. Bd. ; salaries, £5O 11s. Bd. ;
rent and taxes, £26 13s. 9d. • printing, £lO 4s. 9d. The
donations had been £226 ; the subscriptions, £4B ; nurses'
earnings during eight, months, £4B 6s. The treasurer re-
marked that, if they could maintain nine good nurses, the
institution would be self-supporting: The Rev. J. S. Howson
moved the adoption of the report, which it was agreed should
be as extensively circulated as passible. • The motion was
seconded and adopted. The Rev. Dr. M`Neile moved a reso-
lution declaratory of the value and importance of the institu-
tion, and urging its claims to support. He particularly dwelt
upon the advantages of having nurses of Christian character,
and upon the usefulness of their ministrations to the very poor.
Mr. Bickersteth seconded the resolution, which was cordially
adopted, as were also a few others of a routine character.

INSURANCE LOSSES BY THE RECENT GALE.—The insurance
clubs in the north-east ports are likely to be severe sufferers by
the gales of Wednesday and Thursday week. The oldest sea-
men never experienced a more violent hurricane of wind,
during the time it blew, and scarcely a day elapses but intelli-
gence is received of one disaster or other occasioned by the
gale. Several ships went bodily down about forty miles off
the land, their crews fortunately escaping on board of other
vessels : others had their masts blown over their sides, or their
sails stripped from the yards, and became thus disabled and
unmanageable. The following are amongst some of the disas-
ters that have been reported daring the week :—ln the midst
of the gale, the brig George Glen, when about fifty miles off
the Durham coast, became so leaky, that her crew could not
keep her afloat, and they escaped on board the St. Martin, of
Caen. They had not been long on board that vessel when a
Sunderlar.d brig, the William Henry, ran into her, and
the. crews of the two vessels had just time to. escape on
board the William Henry, when the St. Martin sunk:
• A brig, the Maria, has been brought into Scarborough,
abandoned by her crew ; she is laden with oak timber. The
master, his wife, and the crew of the Odenburg, of Amster-
dam, have been brought into Scarborough, having abandoned
that vessel off Tynemouth point, in a sinking state. The
Henry King, of Hastings, has also been brought into Hartle-
pool, with her mainmast gone, having been abandoned by her
crew, who got on board a Stockton vessel. The Sea Bird, of
Shields, also sank in the gale. Her crew, when they appeared
to be in the last extremity, were fortunately rescued by the
crew of the Alice, of Exeter. The Kitty Wake, of Scar-
borough, was also abandoned by her crew off the Scotch coast,
and the Stockton and London trader Darlington was run
down by the Margaret, of Sunderland, and sunk, with a
valuable cargo. A brig, the Sultan, belonging to Shields,
which was proceeding from the Tyne on a voyage to Lisbon,
was overtaken by the oak. During the course of Friday she
was fallen in with by a Sandwich schooner, and from some
unexplained reason, the master and crew of the brig went on
board of the. schooner, and part of the schooner's crew pro-
ceeded on board , the brig. They have managed to get her
into the Tyne, and will be entitled to handsome salvage. Such
- are some of the disasters that have occurred. With the mis-
chief done to Vessels in the Tyne—in itself falling not far
short of £2o,ooo—the loss of shipping property on the north-
east coast, occasioned by the late gale, will approach £OO,OOO.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

IT is rather surprising that so many of the population die
not in their own homes." , For every five persons, or rather
aaore, who died in London last year, one died in a wcrkhouse,

lospiial, or other public institution.

THOMAS RALPH COLLINSON, commission agent in Bank-
treet, Leeds, has been committed for trial, charged with
torging the name of a referee to a bond of " The Times Fire
Ind Lift; Assurance and Guarantee Association," which has
gees in London and Liverpool.
SHOCKING ACCIDENT.—An accident attended with a seri-
ins loss of life occurred at Bowtheck Slate Quarries,near Camel-
brd, a few days ago. Upwards of 100 fathoms of rock at the
lack of the quarry suddenly gave way, and three men, named
basso Hoskin, John Masters, and Youlton, were crushed to
Leath. Several others narrowly escaped ; and if all the men
imployed at the quarry had been in their usual places a large
lumber would in all probability have lost their lives.
Tun Illustrated News recently had an engraving entitled
Sunday Morning Prayers." In Saturday's number we find
tie following correction:—" We are requested by Mr. Carmi-
chael to correct a mistake made in the title of the illustra-
ton, ' Sunday Morning Prayers.' It should have been the
`Daily Morning Prayers on board H.M.S. the Blenheim.'
be people of England and the world ought to know (adds
air artist) that British sailors attend prayers every day in the
veek."

THE bankers Strahan, Paul, and Bates, were brought up
it custody, on Tuesday, to an examination-meeting in bank-
riptcy, before Mr. Commissioner Evans. It was stated that
adividend of ls. 9d. is in course of payment, under the joint
qtate, and a further dividend is expected to be paid in June
Ibxt. A dividend of 9d. in the pound is also payable, under
9.ch of the separate estates of Strahan and Paul, and of ld.
tbder the separate estate of Bates.
JOHN THOMAS, a black man, has been repeatedly before the
Worship• street (London) police-magistrate, lately, for uttering
hoe sixpences; recently, he has been taken, upon an average,
twice a-week. The Mint, however, refuses to prosecute, on the
gound•of the base sixpences not closely resembling the real
gin, which would, probably, owing to the wording of the
statute, allow the fellow to escape. On his being once more
bought up on Thursday, the magistrate said he would remand
urn to see what could be done ; " the prisoner clearly laughed
the powerlessness of the law."

Mr. SAMUEL BAKER and Mr. Ric►hard Potter have resigned
tieir seats as directors of the Great-western Railway Com-

xiiy, because, after considerable experience and mucli consi-
deration, they came to the conclusion that the duties imposed
spon Mr. Saunders were greater than any man could execute,
pith justice to himself and advantage to the company. He is
tie secretary and general superintendent ; and on him, alone,
!evolves nearly all the responsible duties which, in other com-
pnies, are shared by directors." The board had previously
resolved, by eight to six, to continue Mr. Saunders in his

office.
CHARITABLE USES BILL.—A bill of Mr. Atherton and Mr.
Butt amends the law relating to the conveyance of lands for
charitable uses. It provides, after a preamble of enormous
length, that no past or future deed for charitable uses upon
valuable consideration shall he void if enrolled in the Court of
Chancery within six months from the date of the act. No
past deed is to be void by reason of non-compliance with the
formalities in the 9th of George H., chap. 36 ; and no future
deed is to be void by reason of specified stipulations for the
(donor's benefit or (as to copyholds) for want of deed indented.
The act will not affect deeds already avoided or pending suits.

A DEPUTATION from the fire insurance offices waited, on
Tuesday, on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to explain the
danger of ruin they were placed in by the announced compe-
tition of a French company, La France, prepared to take
English policies in Paris. This company will receive policies
at 2s. per cent., whilst the English companies have to pay a
duty of 3s. per cent., from which our allies are exempt. Of
course, under such terms, the whole business of fire insurance
must speedily cross the Channel. The Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer promised that he would consider what should be done
to protect the English companies and the revenue • but
thought, notwithstanding the opinions given to the contrary,
that their best protection would be the want of public confi-

dente in foreig,ti companies.
TmERE was a " row " lately at a lecture by M. Nisard, at
the Sarbonne in Paris. Police agents in plain clothes were

„...,
present; they made a mark with chalk on the backs of the
most uproarious, of the students, so that they might be known
ard, arrested when they left the hall ; the students detected
tle manoeuvre, and chalked the police agents : when the
(Akers left the place, the Sergens de Ville arrested them,
lolged them in prison, and kept them there for a day and a
n4ht ! The real delinquents, two professors and twelve
students of the Schools of Law aud Medicine, have been tried
bythe Correctional Court of Paris, for participation in the
ribs. One of them was acquitted; the two professors were
seitented to six months' imprisonment, five of the students to
tkee months, four. to one month, and the others to 100 f. fine.
DUtING a storm which prevailed last week, a remarkable
eloctric phenomenon occurred at a tavern near Bristol. The
bA• front of the place is a shop window of considerable height
aid width, glazed with a thick quality of glass. Across the
riddle of this window, on the inside, was a shelf, on which
were several decanters and glasses ; and further in was a crim-
son curtain, working with brass rings upon a brass pole. The
inmates observed an unusual degree of darkness, when all of a
Paden a noise was heard like the firing of a small cannon,
Ind immediately the brass pole on which the curtain worked.
vas torn to pieces, and the entire window front, with the
;hell, decanters, and glasses, shattered to atoms and driven.
mit into the street. The toot' of the house was afterwards
axarained, and it was found that the chimney-pot was so much
affected by the electricity, that on being touched it fell to
pieces.

POLICE (COUNTIES AND BOROUGH) BILL.—A bill to
render more effectual the police in counties and boroughs in
England and Wales has been brought in by Sir G. Grey,
Lord Palmerston, and Mr. Massey. It empowers the Court
of Quarter Sessions to establish a sufficient police force for the
whole of a county, when such has not already been formed,
or, otherwise, for the residue of the said county. The Queen
may, by order in Council, require separate police districts to
be constituted in counties, and, on representations from
boroughs, may arrange the terms of their consolidation with
counties. On a certificate of the Secretary of State that an
efficient police force has been established in any county or
borough, one-fourth of the charge for pay and clothing will be
defrayed by the Treasury, but no payment is to be made
towards the expense of the police force of any borough the
population of which is under 6,000, not consolidated with the
county force. This act does not extend to the metropolitan
district of police.
A NOVELTY IN TunKny.—The Viscountess Stratford de
Redcliffe gave a children's fancy dress ball on the 22nd ultimo,
at the residence of the British Embassy in Pera. The 200
little creatures present included little Turks, little Greeks,
Albanians, Armenians, and Syrians of every race. All were
in their richest costumes, chattering each in their own tongue,
and dancing after their own fashion. And there were the
children of diplomatists, and of the Frank colony, dressed in
every variety of picturesque costume, and speaking among
them every language in Europe. At midnight the gay little
crowd were led away to their homes, some across the Golden
Horn to Stamboul, others to villa's on the Bosphorus, and
ethers to the labyrinths of .Pera. The evening then began for
she rest of the brilliant society, and dancing was kept up till
laybreak. A little after midnight the banqueting-room was
Thrown open, where every delicacy was offered in profusion to
she guests. Among those present were many names well
known to the fashionable world in London.
Mr. ALEXANDER M'ConscrisnaLi, a gentle Man who has
twice visited Natal, is now again on his way there, with the
intention of cultivating sugar, cotton, and coffee, for the pro-
duction of which the soil and climate are well suited. He.has
purchased (says Aris's Birmingham Gazette) about 3,000
wres, and having completed his arrangements in this country,
he has chartered a vessel of 300 tons burden. The crew and
passengers consist of about ninety persons, including Mr.
fTorkindale, his wife and sister, an efficient schoolmistress,
asurgeon, labourers, blacksmiths, carpenters, and twenty-two'
toys from reformatory schools, seven of them being from
Seltley, thirteen from Redhill, and two from Miss Carpenter's
school, at Bristol. The boys are apprenticed to Mr. M'Cork-
isdale for three and a-half years, during which period he will
provide therawith food, clothing, and lodging, and pay them
sages. At the expiration of the term, if thy resolve to re-
main in his service six months longer, he has agreed to pay
them the current wages of the colony, and to present each of
them with £l5 and fifty acres of land.
CHARGE AGAINST A CLERGYMAN.—At a special petty
session of the county magistrates, held at .odiham, on Mon-
day, two informations were laid against the Rev. Alfred Lush,
the curate of Greywell, who induced a man and his wife, who
had been previously married at the Dissenting meeting-house,
to be re-married by him in the Church. " One of thtinforma-
ticas charged him with solemnising such marriage-Without a
due publication of the banns ; and the other with making false
entries in the marriage registry, by describing the parties as
bachelor and spinster, and marrying the woman again in her
maiden name. The witnesses called were the man and his
wife, "the Rev. J. Gwynne Hughes," who originally married
them, the registrar, who was present at both the marriages,
and the parish clerk. The knowledge of the first marriage by
3.17. Lush was proved, and also that he paid all the expenses of
the re-marriage. Mr. Lush's legal advisers raised several points
of law, but the magistrates considered both the charges proved,
and committed the curate to take his trial for felony, at the
next Winchester assizes. Bail was accepted, himself in £2OO,
and one surety in £2OO, for his appearance. -
THE REVENUE DEPARTMENTS.—.-The estimates for the
Year 1866, ending the 31st of March, 1867, show that the
amount required for the Revenue Departments of the Customs,
Inland Revenue, and Excise, is £4,588,744, against £4,386,951
in the year 1856-56, thus exhibiting an increase of £202,793.
The Customs' Department entails a charge of £840,001 for
salaries and expenses, and £486,028 for the Coast-guard ; the
Department of Inland Revenue, one of £1,459,207 for salaries,
and £63,025 for the Revenue Police, Ireland. The Postnffice
entails a charge of £1,740,483, being an increase of £101,622
over last year. The gross total charge of these three depart-
ments, including the superannuation allowance, is £5,082,927.
The Post-office items of expense are, as follows, viz.:—£418,506
for the chief offices in the three capital cities ; £42,786 for
surveyors ; £385,528 for the provincial establishments in
England; £45,456- for those .in Ireland ; and £60,380 for
those in Scotland ; £18,184 for colonial establishments ;
£707,118 for the conveyance of snails ; £32,700 for buildings
and repairs ; and £29,736 for manufacture of postage stamps.
FORMATION OF PARISHES BILL.—The Marquis of Bland-
ford's new bill empowers the Ecclesiastical Commissioners
to constitute new parishes (whether they contain a church or
not), to modify the endowment according to the 6th and 7th
of Victoria, chap. 37, to appropriate lands for sites of churches,
and to make other arrangements. The right to pews in the
old parish church will lapse after the occupation of sittings, in
the new. Portions of pew-rents, not exceeding one-fourth,
ber of sittings will be declared free, or the scale of rents
apcecrummaunleantetdeitidoowwanirdesapeorfnasannyeenhtapeentaonc-ermteanitns,nuamnd..
saving the rights of existing incumbents, who, however, may
" consent " to any. new arrangement affecting their incomes.
umrepadoyuncbedthe.e The scale of pew rents may be altered at any time,
The incumbent will appoint the clerk and sexton, and receive.
the burial fees and the profits accruing from the sale of vaults.
1
o grave must be dug within 20 feet of the church walls.
\
The freeholds of churches and graveyards will be vested in the
incumbents. Districts may become new parishes on the ap-
plication of the incumbent, his wardens, and two-thirds of the
inhabitants (ad valorem). Patronage may be conferred upon
Parties permanently endowing churches with a.sum of £l5O,
or building a church and endowing it with £4O a-year, or en-
dowing a church with £lOO a-year and building a parsonage.
Such patronage may not be vended. When there are several
contributors the patronage may be vested in trustees. Other
arrangements of detail follow.

Mr. JACOB CHRISTIANSEN, an extensive commission mer-
chant and shipbroker at Leith, has been committed for trial

on three charges of forgery.
A BULL-DOG belonging to Mr. Warriner, who trains race-
horses for Mrs. Osbaldeston, worried fifty-six sheep at Blew-
bury, Berkshire, a few days ago. The mischief done amounted
to £9O.

THE PAVILION TIIEATRE, Whitechapel-road, London,
was destroyed by fire on Wednesday morning. The damage
is estimated at £20,000. The flames broke out in the scene-

•
painting room.
• THE Lincolnshire Times relates that several hams, which
were stolen about a fortnight ago from some premises at
Barnetby-le-Wold, have been discovered beneath the top
flagstone of a tomb in the village churchyard.
ON Thursday, the American steamer Ericsson (the steamer
on which the famous experiment was made in the United
States of propelling a ship by hot air) arrived at Southampton,
towing a Dutch brig, which she had met in distress. The
Ericsson left on the same evening for Havre.

MUNIFICENT OFFER.-At a meeting of the Royal Geogra-
phical Society, on Monday, Admiral W. F. Beechey in the
chair, Count Strzelecki stated that, in the City, so much im-
portance was attached to the occupation and settlement of
North Australia, that a member of the society, M. had
placed £lO,OOO at his disposal, for the prosecution of the ex-
ploring expedition, in the event of the government refusing
to send one out.
- -

LONDOr AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.—OR Thursday,
the half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in this company
was held at the Waterloo station. The report was adopted,
and a dividend was declared at the rate of £5 12s. 6d. per cent.
per annum, amounting, on £6,890,250 of paid-up capital, to
£194,041, leaving a balance of £11,606. It will be payable on
Thursday next, the 21st. instant.
THE committee for the erection of a statue of the late
Edward Baines, Esq., at Leeds, have decided upon appointing
Mr. Behnes the sculptor of the statue. The statue is to cost
700 guineas ; to be eight feet in height ; and to stand upon a
pedestal of Sicilian marble, at the east or right-hand side of the
vestibule of the town-hall. The second prize of £3O has been
awarded to Mr. Noble.

A WOMAN SWIMMING THE MISSISSIPPL—When the ill-
fated Ben Sherrod was in flames on the Mississippi river, and
the lady passengers who had thrown themselves into the water
were drowning around the boat, the wife of Captain Castleman
jumped into the river, with her infant in her arms, and swam
ashore, a distance o► half a mile, being the only woman saved
out of 16. She had learnt to swim when a girl.—American
paper.

TIIE BRITISH ASEOCIATIOIV.—The annual country meeting
of the British Association for the Advancement of Science is
fixed to be held at Cheltenham, in the week commencing
August 6, and preparations are being made in the county of
Gloucester, in order to give a fitting reception to this learned
body. Lord John Russell, who has lately taken up his resi-
dence in the county, aids the committee, and a subscription
has been entered into to defray the necessary expenses.
A FEMALE RECEIIIT.—On Friday, the Bth, a young woman,
about 17 years of age, enlisted into the 97th Regiment, a re-
cruiting party of which corps is stationed at Windsor. Al-
though she slept that evening in a room where there were
several beds occupied by men, her sex was not discovered till
next morning, when, being taken before the medical officer for
examination, and ordered to strip, as is usual on such occa-
sions, she was obliged to confess that she was a woman. She
was then taken before the magistrates, charged with obtaining
the Queen's money under false pretences, and remanded. It is
said that she enlisted in order to be enabled to join her sweet-
heart, who is in a cavalry regiment in the Crimea. A sub-
scription has been commenced for her in Windsor.

THE following horrible accident occurred on the river
between Blackfriars and Waterloo bridges, London, last week.
A lighterman, named Hosier, was out with his barge on the
river, and attached to his vessel was a small wherry. By
some means or other tho smaller vessel got adrift, when the
unfortunate man made an attempt to regain it by jumping off
his barge, but instead of alighting, as he intended, in his
boat, he fell into the river. Just at that moment a sailing
barge came alongside of the other vessel, and crushed the poor
fellow so tightly as to break his collar-bone, one of his arms,
both thighs, several ribs, and at the same time the anchor of
the sailing barge, which was hanging over the stem, caught
the man in the lower part of the abdomen ; the sharp flukes of
the anchor penetrated the flesh ; and, owing to the speed at
which the barge was passing, the body of the man was ripped
open, and his bowels and heart completely exposed.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. The general half-yearly
meeting was held on Friday, at Paddington station, the Right
Hon. Spencer Walpole, M. P., in the chair. The special report
of the committee and the reports of the directors were seve-
rally taken as read. The chairman showed that there was an
increase of £BG,OOO in the receipts, as compared with the half
year ending in 1854. He concluded by moving that the reports
be received and adopted, which was done after two amend-
ments had been negatived. The four retiring directors were
re-elected. The dividend was declared, and much conversation
followed on putting a resolution which had reference to mat-
ters carried at a former meeting. The chairman signified his
intention to resign, in consequence of his health not permitting
him conscientiously to retain a post of so much responsibility.

. ,
MYSTERIOI7B "MURDER NEAR BATA.—An inquest nas just
been concluded on the body of Mr. Thomas Spiller, of Bath,
whose body was found last week near the mill-head of the
Swinford Copper Works, bearing upon it marks of consider-
able violence. The deceased, who was extensively known and
much respected, occupied the' office of librarian to the Bath
Athenwum, and he was also engaged at the Sun Fire-office in
that city. He was last seen alive on the 7th of January, at
which time he was known to have about him a large amount
in gold and silver, and various papers, &c. When the body
was found in the river it had nothing upon it but an old
handkerchief and some keys, while the head exhibited marks
of great violence. Some shirt studs had also evidently been
roughly torn from his shirt front. The jury returned a ver-
dict of " Wilful murder against some person or persons
unknown."

THE WRECK OF THE JOSEPHINE WILLIE.—The inquiry
before the Folkestone coroner respecting the death of the
three sufferers in the wreck of the Josephine Willis termi-
nated on Tuesday, when the jury gave the following verdict :
" We come to a unanimous conclusion that George Summers
and others came by their deaths in consequence of a collision
between the ship Josephine Willis and the steamer Man-
gerton, owing to an error in judgment on the part of the chief
officer of the ship, mistaking the light of the steamer for
Dungeness Light, and starboarding the helm. We also agree
that if a proper look-out bad been kept on board of the
steamer the collision might have been avoided. We feel it
our duty also to state that there appears to have been a great
want of humanity on the part of the crew of both ships in not
sending assistance to the passengers of the ship whilst they
had it in their power to do so ; and we believe that if proper
efforts had been made many more lives would have been
saved."

MYSTERIOUS MURDER.—On Tuesday, an inquest was held
at Swan Village, near West Bromwich, South Staffordshire,
on the body of a young man named Robert Grubbit, which
was found in the canal on Saturday afternoon last. The
throat was cut, and two large stones were in the pocket of
the jacket. A young woman, named Harper, stated that the
deceased had been her fellow-servant at Mr. Beddard's, who
resides at Dixon's-green, near Dudley. On Thursday, the
17th January last, a friend of the deceased called upon him
about noon. The deceased went out ; and it was proved that
he was at a public-house in the company of his friend. On
his returning to Mr. Beddard's, his fellow-servant said some-
thing to him about his remaining out so long. He appeared
offended, went out, and never returned. A woman states
that a few nights before the body was found she heard a great
noise about the spot where it was discovered, and on looking
out she saw three or four men standing near the canal, and
she heard what she fancied was the report of a pistol, and
one shouted " Shall I shoot the —?" Mr. Kite, surgeon,
of West Bromwich, had made•a post mortem examination of
the body. He found a wound on the throat, five inches long,
which had evidently been inflicted with a sharp instrument,
and one on the forehead, half an inch long, of a similar
character. He also discovered several external bruises on the
skull. He was of opinion that the deceased was first stun-
ned, and thrown into the water after his throat had been cut.
He did not think the deceased could have himself inflicted
the wounds on the throat. The inquest was adjourned for
further inquiries. •
RUSSIAN INTRIGUES AGAINST ENGLAND.—A :Brussels
letter of the 11th says Not a doubt exists that every art,
cajolery, and intrigue, • is on foot, and should peace•be con-
cluded,. will be redoubled, in ,order to enfeeble the Anglo-
French alliance. This has been the paramount object of the
Russian Cabinet, of its agents and its partisans, during the
whole course of the war ; and, although they have signally
failed under belligerent auspices, they feel confident they
shall succeed under the shadow of the olive branch. This
being an indubitable and undisguised project, it is the duty of
Englishmen to be the more watchful and stringent as regards
the conditions of peace. Indiscreet Russiansand philq-Russians
in all parts of Europe do not scruple to announce Uftiture
crusade against England. No means are spared to augment
or create universal hatred against us, and to bring our
powers, our resources, and our acts and objects, into contempt.
Not a day passes without my being told by persons more
frank than cautious, that England is universally unpopular ;
that all men's hearts are against us ; that France herself
would rejoice in a rupture, and in the revival of those accursed
feuds and conflicts which cost both nations such torrents of
blood and mines of treasure, and caused disasters to the one
which were better effaced from the annals of her history. The
wishes of these persons may be fathers to their thoughts,. as
regards France ; but there cannot be a doubt of our unpopu-
larity elsewhere. The majesty of our free institutions are
sores in the eyes of all despotic and semi-despotic villas
_,on
the other side of the Rhine and Alps. Our devotion to our
monarchical and aristocratic organisation is a blasphemy in the
thoughts of demagogues. Our inexhaustible wealth and re-
sources, our wonderful commercial,euterprise, and our com-
mand of the seas, which Bacon says is an " abridgment of
,empire" for all others, are gall and wormwood to jealous and
'inferior millions."
SIR CHARLES BARRY AND THE TREASURY.—From copies
of Treasury minutes, dated the 6th of February, 1854, and 29th
of January, 1856, in regard to the claims of Sir Charles Barry
for services connected with the building of the New Palace at
Westminster, issued the 14th, it appears that on the 26th. of
May last the following offer was made by Mr. White, as acting
for Sir C. Barry, with a view finally to settle all question's as
to commission, measurement, and all other claims, up to Oct.
2, 1853, to which date the closed accounts extended, Sir C.
Barry, it should be said, having put in various claims for extra
.payment over and above his commission That a commis.
aeon of three per cent. should be allowed on the entire outlay
'of £1,506,845, up to the 2nd October, 1.853. 2. That a '
re-
muneration for measurement upon the whole of the works in-
cluded .in that outlay should be paid at the rate of one per
cent. 3. That these commissions should cover all demands of
every kind whatsoever for the past, the services for warming,
lighting, and ventilating alone excepted, which should be dealt
' with separately, and upon their own merits. 4. That the re-
muneration of Sir Charles Barry for the future should be fixed
at three per cent. commission on the outlay as architect, and
one per cent. for measurement upon all works. to which
measurement applies ; and that no furniture, .Le., should-in
future be furnished by Sir C. Barry, except by the special order
of the Treasury. After numerous further interviews and dis-
cussions with Mr. White, that gentleman, on the part of Sir
Charles Barry, declined the terms of settlement thus offered,
and pressed again the claims for the extra services performed.
The Treasury continuing to be of opinion that the terms herein
stated are not only fair but liberal, that they include all re-
muneration to which Sir C. Barry is justly entitled for the
services he has performed, have resolved to abide by them, and
direct that no further payment be made on account, until a
I final settlement of the past, and an agreement as to the future,
are concluded.

THE BISHOPRIC OF CARLISLE.—The vacancy on the epis-
copal bench, caused by the death of Dr. Percy, will be filled
by the Hon. and Rev. 11. Montague Villiers, Canork of St.
Paul's, and Rector of St. George's, Bloomsbury. London. He
is a brother of Lord Clarendon, the Foreign Secretary, and
married a daughterof Mr. Halton, of Hulton Park, Lancashire.
THE SHIPOWNERS AND THE GOVERNMENT.—The ship-
owners of the North are taking active measures to resist the
Government in passing the bill brought into the House of
Commons by Mr. Lowe, the Vice-President of the Board of
Trade, for the abolition of local burdens upon shipping, the bill
being in accordance with the recommendations of the royal
commissioners appointed to inquire into the harbour dues.
The Shields shipowners' societies have met and adopted peti-
tions to Parliament, and have appointed deputies to meet
similar bodies from the outports and the manufacturing towns,
in London. The South Shields Corporation have also adopted
a petition to a similar effect, and have deputed the mayor to
proceed to London to support the deputies. The Corporation
of Newcastle, which receives £lO,OOO a-year from the funds of
the River Tyne, applied for town purposes, met on Wednesday,
and appointed a committee to co-operate with other towns
interested in maintaining those dues, which they consider to
be "vested rights." Mr. Alderman Ingleden read a letter
from Mr. H. G. Liddell, the Conservative member for South-
Northumberland, who, in a great measure, owes his seat to the
shipowners of North Shields, who stated that he would doall
in his power to oppose the Government measure, and asking
for information. Mr. Headlam, M. P., and the new member,
Mr. G. Ridley, are pledged to support the Corporation. At
the same time, meetings will be held in all the seaports, to
adopt petitions in favour of the Government measure, which
has given great satisfaction to the shipowners.

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE AFRICA.

By the British and North American royal mail steam-ship
Africa, Capatin Shannon, which arrived yesterday forenoon,
we have intelligence from New York to the 6th instant. The
Africa brought $303,941 in specie, and thirty-five passengers,
viz. :—Miss Jane Hope, Oscar Kingston, Robert Rait and
son, Win. Moore, John Rusyite,.R. M. Heneker, Jas. Brandry,
E. M. Merrell, H. Lodge, Leopold Sarbach, John Sharpies, H.
E. Visser, T. M. Drey, Macrouste, Thos. Hope, William H.
Woods, Jas. Gillespie, Wm. Southwell, J. L. Van Wart, Relit.
K. Johnston, a Holdsworth, Adrian Sein, Thos. W. Har-
court, R. Pasquel, Deigo Lopez Parodi, R. Bois, G. Noble, L.
C. Clements, Mrs. Clements, Bell, C. Bellaire, Mr. and Mrs.
Oscar, and J. Hall.
Neither the Persia nor Pacific steam-ships had arrived out.
Congress was organised on the 2d by the election of Banks.
The final ballot stood,—Banks, 103; Aiken, 100; Scattering,
11. Subsequent to the declaration of the result and the an-
nouncement by the tellers that Mr. Banks was chosen speaker,
objections were started by the Know-Nothings as to the lega-
lity of the whole proceeding, whereupon a resolution, endor-
sing the action of the house, was offered and adopted. The
lobbies of the house were crowded to suffocation, and the
excitement was increased by the startling cry that a boy was
being crushed to death by the pressure in the galleries. Some
of the members shouted out, " Fall back," "Fall back," and
others, " Hand him over the rail." The boy was at length
released from his imminent danger. Deafening shouts of
applause from the republican side and other quarters of the
horse greeted the announcement of Mr. Banks' election. The
ladies waved their handkerchiefs in the galleries. For several
minutes the disorder was beyond description. On the 4th the.
formality of swearing in the member took place. Speaking
of the election of Mr. Banks, the government organ says :
" Although the result is one that every national man must
regret, yet, as the republicans have a known majority in the
house, and therefore are entitled to a speaker—there is reason
for acquiescing, inasmuch as it enables the machinery of
government once more to move on."
On the sth the House of Representation was besieged with
office seekers. A Washington correspondent describes, the
scene as follows :—" Mr. Glosbreener, after a severe and ex-
citing struggle, to-day was re-elected sergeant-at-arms. This
was a sad disappointment to the Black Republicans. Nathan
Darling was elected door-keeper. Johnston, the post-
master was oyerslaughed. The contest for printer waxes
hotter; the excitement this evening is intense. Wendle says
his chance is sure : while, on the other hand, the opposition
say they will lead him twenty. votes. The respective friends
of several clergymen are pressing with great earnestness their
peculiar qualifications for the chaplaincy. The contest for
printer and chaplain comes off to-morrow. Quite a number
of decapitations took place to-day. There is to be a general
slaughter about the Capitol in a few days. Ira Goodnow,
Lieut. of Police in New York, was appointed assistant door-
keeper. The pressure for appointments is awful. The area•
around the Hall of Representatives was crowded this after-
noon with hundreds of office seekers, while others sought
refuge in the rotundo of the capitol. Members before and
even during the session of the House, were constantly signing
applicants' papers. No sooner had Captain Darling qualified
as doorkeeper, than he removed a messenger and appointed
his successor. This served as a signal for the crowd inside to
rush upon him with importunities, and the scene of excite-.
ment was heightened, on the adjournment of the house by
the rushing in of the office-seeking forces outside."
There was some talk about a difference with France re-
specting the illegal transference of Russian vessels to citizens
of the United States. The Washington correspondent of the
Herald says :—lt has leaked out of the State department that
the French Government has assumed a'position in relation to
certain Russian vessels, that have been transferred since the
commencement of the Eastern war, to citizens of the United
States, being, at the time of the transfer, in American ports,
which it is likely will make difficulty, unless the President
faints. A list of the vessels has been furnished to Mr. Mason,
our Minister at' Paris, and the determination avowed on the
part of the French and English Governments to hold them as
lawful prizes of war if they are captured. Mr. Mason, it is
reported, exhibits some apprehension on the subject. The
correspondence will probably be called for in a few days."
The following, says the Herald, is General Cass' opinion of
Lord Palmerston. " The veriest of monarchists, and a rabid
hater of American institutions ; and although liberal in many
respects, yet on all questions touching our Government as
stubborn as a mule. So long as Palmerston presides over the
Foreign-office there is no prospect for any amicable adjustmint
of our difficulties with England."
The Herald states that Lord Carlisle is in correspondence
with the Abolitionists of the United States.
Advices from Havana, of the Ist instant, report that two
French frigates were in the harbour, but no English. The
United States frigate Potomac had left for Key West. The
stock of sugar iu market was smaller than usual, owing to the
unpropitious state of the weather for harvesting and trans-
porting. The market was dull.
Destructive fires had occurred at Syracuse, Manchester,
N.H., and Chicago.
The Irishman charged at Cincinnati with an intention to
invade Ireland had been acquitted.
On the sth the Central American question was again de-
bated in the senate, Mr. Foote denying the claims of England
on Central America, &c. The idea of yielding to her preten-
sions was not to be thought of. If England did not give way,
he would have her removed by force of arms. " Let England,"
said the member, "understand that we are in earnest about
this, and that it is not a second edition of 64, 50, or fight,'
and then backing down to 49. If, after such forbearance, war
comes, let it come—we shall be justified both by God and
man."

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, February 6,

The Money-market, (says the New York Shipping and
Commercial List, of the Oth inst.,) is well supplied with
capital, and mercantile paper of a high grade meets with a
freer currency at 8 to 10 per cent. for short, and 12 per cent.
for long dates. On call, 6to 7 percent. are the rates. The
business community, generally, are easy in their finances, and
from the stagnation of trade for some time past, but a com-
paratively small amount of new notes have recently been
made, which, in connection with the moderate specie ship-
ments to Europe, augurs prospective ease in the money-
market. A variety of opinions are expressed in Wall-street,
With regard to the late political intelligence from Europe.
Some argue that the war is to go on, while others urge that
a peaceful solution of the vexed Eastern question will be the
issue of the proposed conferences. Sterling exchange had
been comparatively scarce, produce shipments having fallen
off, and large qua,ntities of ice forming a barrier to loading
and departure of vessels. The irregularity of the arrival of
the Southern mail has also contributed to reduce the supply
of bills. Rates had in consequence slightly advanced--81 per
cent. now being the top rate for bankers. Continental ex-
change is plenty. The rates being f. 5.211 to f. 5.25. . Ex-
change : Bus►ness for the Africa was very moderate. Sterling
is firm on account of the small supply of bills in the market.
We quote bills on London 81- to 8 per cent. prem.
COTTON.—Cotton had advanced on the Arabia's news to the
extent in all of te. per lb. The market previously having
been very firm at the rates current on the 20th instant.
There was a fair demand at this improvement for shipment,
both to England and to the North of Europe. The sales for
the week are estimated at 16,000 bales.

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS, EXPORTS, AND. STOCKS OF COTTON.
Exports Total Exports Stocks on
Receipts to to Hand and
• Great Britain. Foreign Ports Shipped.
1856 1,901,017 712,913 1,121,032 141,629
1855 1,243,974 611,832 844,532 127,285
Increase 657,043 101,111 276,500 14,344
- Messrs. Talcott and Co., in their circular of the sth instant,
state, " The sales for the week we estimate at 24,000 bales, of
which 14,000 are in transit. Prices have advanced ic., making
the full advance on the Arabia's advices tc. to lc. In transit
cotton we notice an advance of ic., the closing rates being 9c.
to 94c. for middling Mobile and New Orleans ; lower grades
in proportion. The Arabia's mail came to hand yesterday
morning, and an advance of id. to :id. per pound in cotton
took place. Very little cotton offering. Southern markets
have all materially advanced since the receipt of the advices
referred to. With regard to the crop, we fully confirm the
views we have advised on this subject, and our figures;
3,300,000, are now being generally adopted."
BREA.DSTUFFS.—We had a tame market for Flour, without
change in prices. Subsequently, however, after the receipt of
the letters per Arabia, to the 19th ult., confidence was partially
restored, and several thousand barrels were taken for the home
trade and for shipment to England, at a decline from our.
quotations of this day week of 250, to 374 c. per barrel in all
qualities. At this decline, however, it is now difficult to
purchase in quantity ; although in some cases even lower
rates have been accepted. Wheat is held firmly at a decline
of sc. per bushel. Indian Corn is 3c. to 4c. per bushel lower.
Pnovisforzs.—The market for pork was 25c. to 50c. lower,
the demand moderate, and the supply large, with fair receipts
for the season, the market closing unsettled. Beef was in
and with a limited demand, and an increased
part of some holders to realise, the market was
adhglerairnees°n easier.l'Ptle
lYl'
Bacon is quiet, and the market is rather heavy.
Lard was again lower, with a moderate business at the decline.
Butter steady, and the demand fair. Cheese was firm for
good, and dull for inferior. Prices range from 9c. to 10:}c.
Inorf.—The market for Scotch pig was quiet, at $32 to
$32,50. Bars remained unchanged ; indifferent common
Welsh at '560,50 to $6l, six months, and refined at $66 to
$67,50.
CoAL.—Foreign remained very dull, and sales were effected
with difficulty, Hard was steady at $6, cash.
SALT.—There had been no receipts, and the market re-
mained quiet. An invoice (the only one afloat) of 650 sacks
Ashton's and 750 ditto Jeffreys and Darcey's Liverpool Fine
sold at $1,50 for the former, and $1,40, four months, for the
latter.
FREIGHTS.—To Liverpool : For Cotton, 3-16 d to 7.32 d per
- lb. • Flour, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. per barrel; Grain, 7d. to 71d. per
bushel To London : Flour, 3a. 9d. to 46. per barrel ; Grain,
11d. to 12d. per bushel.
NEW ORLEANS, FEB..l—Cotton ilrin ; sales to-day, 3,0100
bales, at 9ie. to 91c. for mid. Mess Pork, $16,75 to $l7.
Freights : Cotton to Liverpool, 9.36 d.