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

LORD SEFTON continues in a very precarious state. No
improvement has taken place during the last week.
THE Royal Mail steam-ship Baltic, Captain Comstock, took
her departure hence for New York on Saturday, with about
200 passengers, a full cargo, and the usual mails on beard.
THE body of James Murphy, aged twenty-two, of Rich-
mond-terrace, Vauxhall-road, who had been missing since
Tuesday, was found floating in the river on Friday.
FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Friday afternoon Catherine, aged
forty, wife of James Lemon, dock labourer, India-buildings,
Tithebarn-street, was accidentally killed by being run over by
a lorry, in Tithebarn-street.
THE large and splendid iron paddle-wheel steam-vessel,
Prince Patrick, built for the North Lancashire Steam Navi-
gation Company, will be launched from the building yard of
Messrs. Thomas Vernon and Son, Brunswick Dock, to-morrow,
(Wednesday.)
THE SUBSCRIPTION LIST for the benefit of the widow and
family of the late Mr. Houldsworth, who was drowned recently
while bathing at New Brighton, already represents the sum
of £300; and it is anticipated that another £lOO will be
raised, which, with what has already been obtained, and an
insurance policy of £250, will at least remove the recipients
from the fear of actual want.
MORTAR-CASTING AT MANCHESTER.—In addition to the
rifles and other arms making for the army at Manchester,
Messrs. Ellis and Co., of Salford, have engaged to make tea
13-inch mortars, each of which will weigh, when complete,
about 5 tons. The clean casting for the first mortar was on
Friday removed from the foundry of Messrs. Ellis and Co. to
their fitting-up shop, to be bored for completion.
THE SMOKE NUISANCE.—On Wednesday, the followitg
penalties were inflicted under informations preferred before
the borough magistrates by the Smoke Inspector :—Mr. P.
W. Brancker, Sheridan-street, £5 ; Mr. John Jones, North-
street; 40s. ' • Messrs. Irvine, Son, and Jones, rice-mill, Black-
stock-street, £5 ; Messrs. Smyth Brothers, tanners, Blackstock-
street, £5 ; Messrs. Broadhurst, Hill, and Smith, Edmund-
street, £5 ; Mr. W. Downham, owner of the steamer Ayrslire
Lassie, 50s.
THUNDERSTORM.—On Friday afternoon, one of the series of
violent storms which appear to have traversed the land visited
the suburbs, at the south end of Liverpool, causing consider-
able damage to the standing crops, washing down rails,
stables, and partially-built houses, and creating much alarm
in the district. The storm was not of long duration, or,
doubtless, the damage would have been terribly augmented.
A WHALE IN THE MERSEY.—A few days ago a large
whale paid a visit to the Mersey, in whose waters he dis-
ported himself for some time, spouting the water through
his respirators in copious columns. After floating about for
several hours, having the appearance of a boat, bottom
upwards, he left these "gay and festive scenes," taking his
departure in wake of one of the coasting steamers, for the
purpose, as was suggested, of being pioneered clear of the
shoals and sandbanks which are so numerous in the channel.
THE colonial papers take a favourable 'notice of the little
treatise on coffee, or "An Appeal to Common Sense," by Mr.
Smith, of the London and Noth-western Tea Company, Liver-
pool. The Colombo Observer.Ceylon,hasinserteditin extenso.
Mr. Smith says :—" It would be a great improvement in the
consumption of coffee if the public would imitate the conti-
nental custom of grinding their own the fragrance and spirit
of coffee are extremely volatile, and most abundant when warm
from the mill. It is chemically impossible to retain the qua-
lities or arrest the deterioration of coffee when ground. The
heat engendered by the 'process of roasting, and especially of
grinding creates an .actioi in its elementary parts, which gra-
dually destroys its fitness for drink, and whether encased from
the air or not, it is found that, when ground, the oil it con-
tains rapidly precipitate, and its properties, which, to be ser-
viceable, should be conbined, -are soon and effectually sepa-
rated. The conapany'scoffees, when transferred directly from
the mill to the breakfist table, will afford a treat to connois-
seurs, or those who we fond-of a cup of real coffee?'
ONE WOMAN STAIDING -ANOTHER.—At the Police-court,
on Saturday, Catheine Jones, a married woman, living in
Hornby-street, was charged with stabbing Elizabeth Price, •a
respectably-dressed woman, who appeared with a bandage
round her head. On Friday evening, the 'two women, who
are neighbours, pot to high words, and subsequently to blows;
and while struggling together, the complainant received a
serious wound o'er' the left eye, from which the blood flowed
so copiously tint she was speedily reduced to a fainting con-
dition- For tie prosecution it was alleged that the wound
had been infibted by a pair of scissors, several witnesses
swearing positively to having seen the prisoner take some-
thing out of ier pocket, and strike the complainant, one of
them deposhg to having distincly seen the point of the
scissors as tie blow was being struck.; while for the prisoner
it was urgei that the injury had been aecidentallyproduced by
the womanfalling upon the debris of a mug, which had been
broken in he scuffle. The magistrates ordered the prisoner
to pay £lc or be committed for two months.
BANIERtPTCY COURT.—On Wednesday, John Walsh, lately

carrying m business as a corn broker, appeared before Mr.
Commissbner Perry on an applicMion for his certificate. Mr.
Hull, or.behalf of the bankrupt, applied for an adjourn-

mend of the case for a month, siatingthat by that time he
would ix able to show that the young man did not deserve to
be-visitd so harshly as might at first appear. An adjourn-
ment vas granted.—Richard Williams, late a draper in North
Wales,after some opposition by- the assignees, passed his last
,examilation, and the certificate meeting was fixed for the 2nd
Of Autust.—George Elmes appeared before Mr.' Commissioner
-Steveisoll on application for his certificate. The case was

adjourned.—The examination of J. G. Claus was further
-adjorrned to have the balance-sheet amended.—Thomas
-Hewitt, who carried on business at Ormskirk as a provision
sir, applied on Thursday for his certificate. He was
-Opposed, on the ground of not keeping proper books, and a
:preference given to a creditor. The Commissioner, after ask-

ring a few questions relative to the assignment, considered that
the justice of the case would be met by suspending the certifi-
cate for six months ; the certificate to be of the second class.—
In the case of John Williams, a joiner and builder, at St.
Asaph, Mr. Evans offered no objection on the part of the
assignees to his certificate; but as the bankrupt had not kept
-a cash account, the commissioner granted a second-class cer-
tificate only.
CHARGE OF EmeuzzLnainaT.—Robert White was, on
Saturday, at the Borough Police-court, charged with em-
bezzling £6 odd, belonging to his mployers, Messrs. Taylor
and Son, coal-merchants, Great Howard-street. The prisoner
was engaged by them, a:few weeks ago, to solicit orders and
collect accounts, which duties he Cischarged for about a
month, when he discontinued his moulds on the plea of ill
health. Mr. Taylor thought there wassomething suspicious
in his conduct, and he-caused inquiries t) be made, which re-
sulted in the discovery that the prisoner heel collected upwards
of £6, for which he had not accounted. Ire caused him to be
apprehended ; and his-wife had since retuned £2, as part of
the money which he.had not given up. The wisoner protested
his innocence of crime, and asserted that hissudden indisposi-
tion was the only cause which had preventd him from ful-
filling his duty to his-employers ; when recover, he intended
to have refunded the money. The bench gavellim the benefit
of the doubt, and permitted his discharge.
NATURAL PIEENOMBRON.—Two African ehiblen, twins, five
years old, who are united together by a bony carilexion in the
lower part of their backs, were brought to this tevn, on Wed-
nesday, from America, in the ship Arab. They wet>, originally
born in Africa, sold as slaves to a Cuban planter, aid by him
resold to a Dr. Mingley, of the United States. 14-blis death,
they were placed by the government under the -care of their
present guardians, Professor Millar and Mr. Thompon, who
have brought them to this country. The African wins are
an interesting study for the physiologist, and - far exceed
in interest many of those prodigies which have from tme to
time been brought before the public for exhibition. Tisy are
inseparably united by injunction of the spines at the-lowe part
of the back, in such a manner that the death of .one sbuld
necessarily involve the destruction of the other. in walling,
they move in a lateral or sidelong direction, though witheuteny
apparent difficulty. Their countenances are pleasing keid
expressive, and their general appearance such as to a
favourable impression upon the mind of the visitor. T',e
:usual playfulness of children characterises all their mov%
ments, and they enjoy excellent health. Each appears to pos
seas a distinct mind and freedom of action, striking instance,
of which are occasionally exhibited, though, generally speak-
;lug, little variation is observable in their tastes and habits,
in the presence of strangers-the twins are exceedingly. lively,
Ind exhibit the usual aptitude for chattering peculiar to
-children of their years, and also indicate the precocity of intel-
lect peculiar to the negro. There is everything in their appear-
ance to interest, and nothing repulsive to the most fastidious.
After being a short time in England the twins will visit
France, and afterwards return -to the United States. The
profits derivable from their exhibition are to be appropriated
to .the liberation of their parents and brothers and sisters
from,slavery. They have been visited by many of the leading
members of the medical profession in this town. The follow-
ing certificate has been signed by -tbe principal medical gen-
tlememin Liverpool :—" July 25, 1855. We have examined
carefully to-day the African twins. They are completely
united below the body, posteriorly, by a bony union, and the
band of communication is in all about sixteen inches in
circumference. With the exception of •these parts the bodies
of both are perfect. They are interesting, lively, and intelli-
gent little ,peorole, and have nothing of monstrosity in their
appearance. It is impossible to see ‘them without being
pleased with their manners and lively -chattering.—John
O'Donnell, M,D., Thomas Inman, M.D., Thos. Lewis, M.D.,
Thomas Blackburn, P. Macintyre, M.D., W. Wright Manifold,
M.D. and Surgeon, B. Bickersteth.

LivEnrom, TOWN COUNCIL—The following subjects will
be discussed at the quarterly Council meeting to-morrow :
The proceedings .of the Finance Committee, comprising,
recommendation to increase the salary of Mr. Linton Hughes,
from £4OO to £450 per annum.—The election of four members
of the Council to be .members of the Dock Committee, for the
affairs of the estate of the trustees of the Liverpool Docks, in
the place of Edward Langsdale, Oliver Holden, William Mann,
and James Holme, Esquires, who retire from and go out of
the said committee, in accordance with the provisio' ns of
" The Liverpool Dock Act, 1851."—Resignation of Mr.. James
T. Pownall and Mr. William H. Daunt, two of the commis-
sioners appointed by the Council to inspect, audit, and adjust
the accounts of the trustees of the Liverpool Docks, under the
Dock Acts, and appointment of two commissioners to fill up
and make good the vacancies caused by such resignations.—
The proceedings of the Courts of Law and St. George's-ball
Committee, comprising, recommendation to appoint Mr. W.
H. M`Kenzie, as superintendent of the building, including
the ventilation, at the salary of COO per annum ; Richard
Williams, as engineer, at the wages of 255. per week; John
White and Martin Scully, stokers, at the wages of 21s. each
per week; Thomas Noble and William Handsome, as labourers,
at 21s. each per week; and John Archer, joiner in attendance,
at 30s, per week : recommendation to appoint Charles
Green, now hall porter at the Town-ball, head porter at St.
George's-hall, at the salary of 30s. per week ; and Mrs. Green,
housekeeper, at the salary of £5O per annum recommenda-
tion to appoint Mr. Best organist of St. George's-hall, at the
salary of £3OO per annum.—The proceedings of the Health
Committee, comprising recommendation to promote Mr. Ro-
bert J. Brew, Mr. Joseph Jones, and Mr. John J. Langley,
rate-collectors, from third class to second class collectors, the
consideration of which was postponed at the last monthly
Council, pursuant to the standing orders.—The proceedings of
the Water Committee, comprising recommendation that Mr.
John Hall, collector of water rates, be advanced from the
situation of third class collector, to that of second class col-
lector, and that his salary and poundage be calculated at £lBO
per annum, the consideration of which Was postponed at the
last monthly Council, pursuant to the standing orders.—
Report of the Special Committee appointed on the 19th day
of May last, on the subject of the purchase of the docks and
properties of the Birkenhead Dack Trustees, and of the Bir-
kenhead Dock Company.—The Coroner's account, amounting
to £29 ss.—The mayor's communications, comprising resolu-
tion and report of the Visiting Justices as to arrangements
Preliminary to the opening of the new gaol at Walton ; and
letter from the chairman of the Reformatory Committee,
stating that Government had allowed the lazaretto Akbar to
be used as a reformatory for juveniles, and requesting per- ,
mission to moor the same in the Great Float, Birkenhead,