The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-07-31 00:00:00

visits than all that long line of kings from which she
derives her illustrious descent. The late Emperor of
RUSSIA, the King of PRUSSIA, the late King of the
FRENCH, the King of the BELGIANS, the King of
PORTUGAL, and the present Emperor of the FRENCH,
have been guests at the royal table of VICTORIA, who
has herself visited France, Belgium, and Prussia. It
would be difficult, however, to discover in what way this
interchange of royal courtesies has been instrumental
in maintaining those peaceful relations which are sup-
posed to be the main object of international communi-
cations. LOUIS PHILIPPE was most cordially received
in England, and his visit returned ; but it did not
help to postpone his dethronement, or weaken the
apprehensions of a French invasion which were
excited shortly afterwards. The late Emperor
NICHOLAS was feted at 'Windsor, and had the oppor-
tunity of meeting his old friend the Earl of ABERDEEN;
but, so far from the circumstance tending to preserve
peace, it was to some extent one of the primary causes
of the war. The King of PRUSSIA was not only an
honoured guest, but stood sponsor to the heir-apparent
to the British throne ; and now, though not actually
an enemy, he is by many considered to occupy a far
more invidious position. Even the leanings of the
King of the BELGIANS are thought to be rather
Russian than otherwise; so that, of all the interchange
of courtesies, except the last, the amity of crowned
heads has been shown to have but little influence on
the amity of nations. The last event of the kind was
the visit of LOUIS NAPOLEON and his Empress to the
British Court—perhaps the most fitting mode of
proving to two nations long rivals the sincerity of the
new alliance ; and nothing could be more conducive
to this end than the exuberant enthusiasm with which
the French EMPEROR, so long an exile here, was
hailed wherever he appeared. Our QUEEN is now
about to return the courtesy; and a British Sovereign,
for the first time for three hundred years, will make
a visit of state to the French capital. There can be
ne doubt that she will be received with all that
French skill in pomp and show can give eclat to the
unwonted event. To the French people it will be the
best proof that could be afforded of that entente cor-
diale upon which now hangs the destinies of Europe ;
and let us hope it will prove more auspicious than the
events to which we have alluded.

THE FRENCH LOAN.

THE EMPEROR of the FRENCH has once more
made a demand upon his people for pecuniary assistance
to carry on the War, and, as in the former instance,
it has been met with offers far exceeding the amount
required. His Government has wisely pursued the
course of making the appeal to the people at large,
instead of confining it to some leviathan contractor,
and carrying out this system so far as prefer the
smaller, and consequently the more numerous offers.
This course may be dictated by that prubent policy
which seeks to identify as many as possible in the
success of the War, and also to strengthen the new
dynasty, by giving it a firmer hold upon the interests
of the population. It is a material guarantee against
disaffection, by enlarging the number of the coeditors
of the State, for each contributor to the lo2n will
have virtually given security for his good behaviour.
Nor is it without its pecuniary advantages, for, so far
from the loan being contracted at a higher rate of
interest, the terms are beneficial to the borrower,
because the source whence the supplies are drawn is
so much wider. In this respect, it should furnish a
useful hint to our OWn CHANCELLOR of the EXCEE-
QUER, who must shortly be called upon to provide
more ways and means than can be supplied by increased
taxation. The recent loan of £16,000,000 now bears
a premium of more than four per cent., which shows
at any rate that the terms were favourable to the
contractors,notwithstanding that the subsequent parti-
cipation in it is confined to the comparatively wealthy
few. The conditions, however, would be materially
altered if the loan were thrown open, as it is in France,
to the many ; for there are hundreds of thousands of
persons in England who would gladly lend small sums
to the Government to carry on the War, at a very'
low rate of interest, if the opportunity were but
afforded to them. In the majority of Savings' Banks
the interest allowed for deposits 'is not more than 24
per cent., whereas the rate for money in the funds is
nearly 31 per cent. ; and we have no doubt that a
saving of at least ore per cent. in the rate of interest
might be effected if a loan were raised in small sums,
upon transferable documents similar to Exchequer
Bills. Such a mode of providing for the present
heavy expenditure of the War would go far to relieve
the pressure now so severely felt—a pressure not only
occasioned by increased taxation, but by the long-
continued hig!l prices of the principal articles of food.
These burdens have been cheerfully borne, because
the majority of the population are convinced of the
justice and necessity of the war, but that is no reason
why the burden should be unnecessarily increased, if
there be a way to escape.
There is also another point of view in which this
question may be considered. Complaints are made,
and nct without justice, of the present restricted
nature of our currency, which is manifestly inadequate
to the rapid extension of our commerce, and would be
more sensibly felt were it not for the large importa-
tions of gold from Australia and other places. Various
iplats e have a
felt,N-e b ebeunt
u n f proposedor tlin toat e
loyb Ntihaet
ye
ian
odifficultyvethe which
g-
debated question of cash payments and paper issues,
of which the Legislature entertains such a natural
dread. But much of the advantage sought might be
gained without any alteration of our present system, if
the loan which, under any circumstances, must shortly
be required, should be raised upon a plan similar to
that pursued in France. The issue of loan notes, in
small sums, would be a virtual extension of the cur-
rency for all practical purposes, and they might be
redeemed, as resources were available for the purpose,
by their reception in payment of taxes and duties.
There would not only be a direct gain to the Exche-
quer in the reduction of interest, but indirectly in the
losses by accident which will always occur ; and beyond
this, patriotic individuals who now make occasional
contributions to the State, by anonymous donations to
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, will be enabled
to display their loyalty far more readily by destroying
loan notes to the requisite amount. These, however,
are but contingencies which enhance the advantages,
the principal of which are the economy in interest and
the extension of the currency.

WIGAN CIIIIRCIL—The rebuilding of this edifice has left a
debt of £750, for which the late churchwardens are responsible.
In order to assist in raising funds for this heavy liability, it
has been resolved to hold a bazaar at the public Hall, Wigan,
on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next week, under dis-
tinguished patronage, as will be seen on reference to our ad-
vertising columns. The Hon. Colin Lindsay is the secretary,
and it is hoped that, considering the praiseworthy nature of
the bazaar, it will meet with general support. Articles for
sale will be acceptable, and those who cannot assist in this
way, will, by contributions of money, materially aid in the
good work.

YESTERDAY morning a Lascar, name unknown, was found
dead in the forecastle of the ship John and Lucy, lying in the
Sloyne, just arrived from Bombay. Deceased had been in a
very weak state for some time past, from the effects of scurvy.
An inquest will be held on the body to-day.

- -
ANOTHER " VISIT" OP " THE ANGEL GABRIEL."—About
noon yesterday, the demented individual who impiously calls
himself " the Angel Gabriel," and created a great sensation by
his assumption of that character on the Exchange flags, on
Sunday, paid a visit to Chapel-street, and commenced the
preliminaries for a " discourse," by giving out a psalm or
hymn. His strange appearance and idiotic gestures soon
attracted a large crowd in that busy thoroughfare, and the
"angel" was hooted, jeered, and laughed at. One drunken fellow
in the throng, in opposition to the hymn, struck up with great
vigour, " All round my hat," doubtless in allusion to certain
peculiarities in the head-dress of the " angel," described else-
where. The "prophet" thundered anathemas at the head of
his opponent, in language that raised the ire of the drunkard,
and a fight seemed about to arise, for the crowd urged the
latter, in vulgar, but very forcible terms, to "go into him."
The " angel," however, beat a hasty retreat towards the docks,
and was soon lost sight of. [The polic4 will, no doubt, put a
stop to these displays.)