The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-06-19 00:00:00

AUSTRALIAN SHIP MOVEMENTS,

LIE Royal Mail clipper ship Ben Nevis, Captain Heron,
belonging to Messrs. Pilkington and Wilson's celebrated
" White Star Line," is now in the river, and will sail for
Melbourne to-morrow afternoon. Letters for dispatch by the
Ben Nevis, should be posted in Liverpool, if possible, this
evening, not later than nine o'clock ; but the bags do not
finally close at the Post-Office till to-morrow morning: letters
with a late fee will be received at the landing-stage up to
one o'clock to-morrow. The Ben Nevis has been well taken
up for ergo, and will carry with her fully two hundred and
fifty adult passengers, about fifty of whom are first class.
Like all the "White Star" ships, the Ben Nevis carries a
surgeon and a chaplain, and is provided with a well-selected
library for the use of passengers on the voyage. The next
Royal Mail packet dispatched by the "White Star Line"
will be the Shalimar, on the 20th of next month; but the
Champion of the Seas, belonging to Messrs. James Baines and
Co.'s "Black Ball Line," will sail on the sth of July, carrying
with her also a Royal Mail. The Shackamaxon, belonging to
Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co.'s " Eagle Line," went into the
river on Friday, and will sail for Melbourne this afternoon.
She has a full general cargo, and carries about two hundred
adult passengers, twenty of whom are first class. The Shacka-
maxon will be succeeded by the Albatross, Captain Geves,
belonging to the same owners. She will, it is expected, be
ready for sea about the 21st of next month. The Africa,
belonging to Messrs. Magee, Livingston, and Co., of the
" Liverpool Line," has nearly completed loading, and will sail,
it is expected, in the course of the present week. The Defence,
belonging to the " Fox Line " of Australian clipper packet
ships, is now on the berth receiving passengers and cargo, and
will be dispatched in a few days. The Constance, belonging
to Messrs. Wright, Kelso, and Co.'s " Black Star Line," has
the number of her passengers and the amount of her cargo
nearly completed, and will sail at the end of the present
month. Messrs. Pilkington and Wilson will dispatch the
David G. Fleming on the 28th of this month; and Messrs.
James Baines and Co. the Biobio, as extra vessels in connec-
tion with their respective lines of clipper ships. They are all
first class vessels, and maintain the high character which the
Liverpool fleet of Australian ships has deservedly attained.

SCIENTIFIC SOIREE.—Dr. Fisher, on Thursday evening,
gave a rich intellectual treat to his pupils, and to many who
had received their education under his able tuition. The
observatory, with its powerful achromatic telescope, and all
the splendid apparatus belonging to this establishment, were
called into requisition. Many of the useful and popular
branches of science and philosophy were profusely illustrated
by a great variety of brilliant experiments. Mr. Edwards
took a very active part in the galvanic and magnetic arrange-
ments, and Mr. Wood in several departments. The marvels
of the microscope and the sublime wonders of the heavens were
sources of great attraction. During the evening, tea and re-
freshments were served up in abundance, and the intervals
were enlivened by music and singing, which rendered the en-
tertainment altogether unique. At the close, the National
Anthem was sung with great enthusiasm.
Miss CUSHMAN is to appear at the Theatre Royal, on Wed-
nesday and Friday evenings, these being the only nights on
which she can appear during the present engagement. On
Wednesday she performs her celebrated character of Meg
Merrilies, in the drama of "Guy Mannering." On Friday
she will appear as Thisbe (an actress), in the new play of " The
Actress of Padua," which will be performed, on that occasion,
for the first time in Liverpool.
THE MERCHANTS' DINING-ROOMS, it will be seen, con-
tinue to afford satisfaction and comfort to the numerous
visitors who frequent the establishment. At this period of
the year, when strangers arrive in such numbers in Liver-
pool, it is a matter omportance to know that excellent ac-
commodation for the supply of breakfasts, luncheons, dinners,
and tea, exists iu Mr. Morrish's Merchants' Dining-rooms, in
Tithebdrn-street, immediately adjoining the Exchange, and in
close proximity to the chief banking houses, shipping establish-
ments, and other places in town. From the extent of his
larder and cellar, and the ample accommodation for culinary
purposes which his premises afford, added to his general at-
tention to their comfort, together with the moderation of his
charges, this dining establishment is entitled to the patronage
of the public.
A THIRSTY WATCHMAN.—Peter Conor, a watchman em-
ployed by the City of Dublin steam-packet Company, was brought
up at the Police-court, yesterday, charged with " broaching"
some hogsheads of porter, which were lying on the Clarence-
dock quay, under his charge. The porter was the property of
Mr. Radcliffe, ale and porter dealer of this town. When asked
what he had to say, he replied :—" Well, your honour, generally
when we see fresh porter working strongly, we give it vent.
(Laughter.) This one was working, I thought, too much, and
of course I gave it vent." (Laughter.) Alderman Holme :
" It's a very extraordinary defence. lam afraid it will turn
out verydear porter for you. You must pay a penalty of 20s.
and costs, or go to gaol for 21 days." The old man, who
scarcely appeared to have recovered from the effects of his novel
system of ventilation,"
_ was removed in custody.
ROBBERY FROM NEW HOUSES IN PRINCE'S PARK.—A
little before ten o'clock on Sunday night, police-officer 765,
while on duty in Devonshire-road, near the Prince's Park, saw
a man come out of a shrubbery, with a roll of sheet lead under
his arm. The man, on seeing the officer, dropped the lead, and
began walking away unconcernedly, but he was at once stopped
andapprehended, His name is Robert Williams, alias Caine,
and he was brought before the magistrates yesterday. Mr.
Nuttall, plumber and glazier, of 36, Park-lane, identified the
lead as part of what had been left on Saturday afternoon in the
top story of some new houses building by Mr. R. V. Yates,
about 100 yards from the place where the prisoner was first
seen. It was cut in lengths for lining the outside of the sky-
lights, weighed 1001bs., and worth 24e. The prisoner said he
went into the plantation, saw the lead lying there, took it up
and then dropped it again. As he had had the misfortune to
" find " other people's property before it was "lost," on one or
more previous occasions, he was committed for trial this time.
THE MODEL OF SEBASTOPOL is still on view in the Queen's
Hall, Bold-street, and continues to be well attended. With
praiseworthy zeal, Mr. Hough avails himself of every important
intelligence relative to the changes of position effected by the
belligerent parties, and has those alterations accurately laid
down upon the model. He also accompanies the exhibition
by an explanatory lecture in which the various siege opera-
tions are clearly described, thus enabling visitors thoroughly
to understand the different movements of the allies, and their
importance.
BANKRUPTCY COURT.—CORMiSSiOner Perry was occupied
from eleven o'clock until half-past four yesterday afternoon in
hearing examinations on the application of John Hughes, late
a ferry builder in Toxteth-park in this town, for his certificate.
The bankrupt, who bad previously been in the Insolvency
Court, wished to show that some houses of his had been impro-
perly taken possession of by certain parties, to the injury of his
estate and detriment of his other creditors. His Honour
granted a certificate of the second class. There were some
proceedings to have taken place in other cases, but they were
not gone into yesterday.—There was no business before Com-
missioner Stevenson of public notice.

THE RESULT OF AN IRISH FACTION FlGHT.—Bernard
McGinty, Patrick McDonald, Peter Mclntyre, and James
Farren, four stalwart specimens of the "finest pisantry on
the face of the earth," were brought up at the Police-court
yesterday, before Mr. Mansfield and Alderman S. Holme,
charged with violently assaulting police-officers 711, 217, and
166. From the evidence produced, it appears that those
restless spirits, unable to endure the quietness of a Sunday
evening, got up a lively discussion on the respective merits of
the provinces of Munster and Connaught in general, and the
prowess of the M`Gintys, the Farrens, and the M'lntyres, in
particular. Not being able to settle the point by argument,
they agreed to "fight it out," and adjourned to the vacant
land now the brickfield at the north end of the town. On
their Way there, in passing through Saltney-street, McGinty
got impatient for the fray, and at once commenced a violent
attack on Farren. This precipitated hostilities on all sides,
and the fight became general amidst principals and spectators.
The police attempted to quell the fight, and took the four
prisoners named into custody. Farren made no resistance,
Mclntyre was slightly contumacious, but McGinty " broke the
head" of officer 217 and injured him severely, while
McDonald, with some instrument that could not be found,
cut open the cheek of officer 166. The two latter were each
fined £5 and sent to prison for three months in default of
payment, Mclntyre was fined 10s. and costs, and Farren was
discharged, as he had not assaulted the officer,and only fought
in self-defence.

A " CALIFORNIAN" NUGGET THAT NEVER CAME FROM A
GOLD MlNE.—William Connor, a man about thirty, dressed
as a common sailor, was charged at the police court yesterday,
by Mrs. Jane Cannel, a widow lady, residing in Prussia-street,
near St. Paul's-square, with swindling her in the following
curious manner. The complainant said :—I keep a boarding-
house for captains and mates. He (the prisoner) came to me
on the 9th of May, saying he had just arrived from San Fran-
cisco, California. He said that he was captain of the ship:and
owner of the cargo. He gave me a piece of what he called
Californian gold—a nugget, to take care of, sewed up in a sort
of leather bag. He cautioned me not to open it, for fear of
losing it, and I carried it about with me for five weeks. He
never paid me anything, and he borrowed some money from
i me. I asked him for some money, as I could not afford to be
without it, and I pressed him to pay me. He told me he was
going to draw £l5O in a day or two, and he actually drew out
false papers for the `amount, and left them lying about the
room that we might see them. Alderman Holme : Is it for
the board and lodging you are suing him ? Complainant : Yes,
sir; £4 10s. 6d., and the money I lent him. This was the
piece of gold (laughter, through the complainant producing,
from a series of leather coverings, a one-pound brass weight).
He told me to be very careful not to open it. (More laughter.)
Alderman Holme : You lent him money on the security of
this, I suppose ?—Complainant : Yes, sir.—Alderman Holme
Did you know him previously ?—Complainant : Six years ago
he boarded with me, and I thought him very respectable.
But he had a different name, then.—Alderman Holme (to the
prisoner): This is a very heartless swindle, on your part, on
a respectable woman, and a widow, doing all in her power to
gain a livelihood.—Prisoner : I did all I could to pay her
I'm willing to give her a monthly note.—Alderman
Well, you must be remanded until Saturday.
NEW BRIG-HTON COLLEGE.—The annual distribution of
prizes to the pupils of this admirably-conducted institution,
took place on Thursday, in the presence of a large assemblage
of ladies and gentlemen ; the Rev. E. Roberts, Incumbent of
Seacombe, presided on the occasion. The recitations by the
pupils consisted of selections from the works of Greek, Latin,
French, and English authors, and the young gentlemen
acquitted themselves in a manner to command the plaudits of
the audience. The Rev. Dr. Wilson, Dean of the College of
Preceptors, stated that the result of the examination in
classics and mathematics was highly satisfactory, and men-
tioned the names of the successful candidates of the College
of Preceptoiis, viz :—J. R. Kenyon, Thomas Hume, B. H.
Westby, F. Ashbridge, A Stanton, Thomas Simpson ; and for
commendation, E. Seddon, T. Allbut, and E. Hilliar. The
rev. gentlemen, in a lengthy address, pointed out the extreme
importance of education being rightly directed in all classes of
the body politic. Mr. John Parker, secretary to the College
of Preceptors, expressed the high gratification he felt in
examining the pupils in the various branches of natural
science and modern languages. The following is a list of the
pupils to whom prizes were awarded : John Sellars, Ist
captain's prize ; J. R. Kenyon, Ist Greek ; Thomas Simpson,
Ist Latin ; E. Hilliar, 2nd Latin ; Westby, 3rd Latin ; C.
Coulborn, Ist French; H. Carr, 2nd French; E. Seddon,
3rd French; Thomas Hume, Ist Euclid; Thomas Hume,
Ist Algebra ; Charles Coulborn, 2nd Algebra ; B. H.
Westby, Ist Arithmetic; E. Pollexfen, 3rd Arithmetic; B. H.
Westby, Ist Geography ; C. E. Colville, 2nd Geography;
John Sellars and T. Allbutt, Ist History; S. Radcliffe, Ist
English Grammar ; John Lowry, 2nd History ; F. Asbridge,
Philosophy and Physiology ; J. R. Kenyon, good conduct prize ;
A. Smith, German ; H. Seddon, Ist Writing prize ; P. Single-
hurst, 2nd Writing ; J. Garrett, 3rd Writing ; A. Stanton, Ist
Drawing; Thomas Hume, 2nd Drawing; Charles Singlehurst,
Mapping prize.—Thanks were accorded to the rev. chairman ;
and after singing the national anthem, the numerous meeting
broke up,

COILUERCIAL and MONETA.RY NEWS.

MONDAY NIGHT.

THERE has been little during the week to disturb
the quietude which has recently prevailed, and conse-
quently the price of the Public Funds has fluctuated
but slightly, the tendency, if any, being in favour of
an advance. The Bank Directors, on Thursday,
announced a reduction of half per cent. in the maxi-
mum rate of discount, which is now 31 per cent. The
measure had been, however, anticipated, so that it had
no effect on the Funds, which slightly receded, owing
to the advices from Paris of lower prices. There has
been an abundance of money for commercial purposes,
and the prevailing rates for first-class paper are lower
than that fixed by the Bank of England. The Returns
of Friday show a slight decrease in the stock of Bul-
lion ; but is now very large, amounting to £17,764,058,
and the reserve of Notes unemployed is above
£11,500,000, so that there is an ample margin for
contingencies. The Exchanges have also recovered
the depression which prevailed a few days previously,
so that there is no immediate prospect of any further
shipments of specie to any great extent.
This abundance of unemployed capital In the face of
demands for the exigencies of the War, will, no doubt,
encourage internal enterprise ; but many speculative
adventures have been delayed until a decision has
been come to by the Legislature on the important
question of limited liability of partners which is now
before Parliament. The differences of opinion on the
subject are chiefly with reference to the amount to
which the relief shall be permitted to apply, and also
as to the security which shall be taken for giving
efficient publicity to the exercise of the privilege.
These are, however, merely details to be considered
in committee on the bills, the broad principle of
some relaxation of the present law being generally
admitted.

The principal event of the week has been the failure
of the banking-house of Messrs. Strahan, Paul, and
Co., one of the oldest firms in London, and which has
been brought within the jurisdiction of the Court of
Bankruptcy. It is said that the total liabilities are
nearly 2700,000, while the assets are comparatively
very trifling. The failure is attributed to rash specu-
lation in an Italian Railway Company, but the losses
are stated to so far exceed the whole which has been
sacrificed in this particular instance, that the
affairs will require a very searching investigation. The
principal sufferers are peers and wealthy commoners
of the West end ; the City men of business being
but slightly affected.
Accounts from Manchester state that business there
is almost at a stand, owing to the check which the
speculation in Cotton here has received, and the diffi-
culty under such circumstances of maintaining the
recent advance in prices. On the other hand, the
prevailing opinion is very strong that the supply of
Cotton will prove inadequate to the demand, which,
combined with the easiness of the money market and
the prospect entertained of an abundant harvest, will
no doubt render the present stagnation of brief dura-
tion. The Woollen trade is still active, there being a
fair demand, and prices are firmly maintained. In
the Hosiery and Lace trades there is a fair amount of
business doing.

The return from the Bank of England, for the week
ending the 9th of June, gives the following results
when compared with the previous week :
Public Deposits ... £5,447.207; Increase ... £236,039
Other Deposits ... 13,168,985 ; Decrease ... 113,891
Rest ... 3,114,923; Increase ... 1,980
On the other side of the account :

Government Securities £12,702,488, Increase £24,672
Other Securities .. 12,305,431; Decrease ... 113,727
Notes unemployed
The amount of notes in circulation is £19,451,170,
being a decrease of £289,035; and the stock of bullion
in both departments is £17,764,058, showing a de-
crease of £25,044 when compared with the pre-
ceding return.