The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-12-08 00:00:00

CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY.

,
meeting of' this society was held at the
offices in IVorfolk-street; on Tuesday, the 4th instant,
.
' :Viscount Ranclagh fhb' who submitted the
thirty-third quarterly and e4th annual report of the
• executive committee, with the balarreestreet for the year.
The financial statement' exhibited some highlt'satisfac-
tory results, the receipts exceeding those of any ii.fevions
year except 1854, when the St. Margaret's Mansion Was
sold; the increase over 1658-9 being upwards of £24,000.
Vpwards of £31,000 worth of land had been allotted
.I:hrritig the year, making the totalsale £258,001 19s. 11d,
After paying bgek X 1,500 borrowed last year from the
;reserve Fun'd, 6 per cent has been placed as bonus frOm
the Profit's on unconipleted shares. The rate of interest
on shtted completed and in aeltanee is continued at 5
percent. and 4 pefeent. on deposits, The reserve fund
now amounts to 4'5,570. its. Id. Four stieressful allot-
ments have taken place ddring the year, viz., the Roman
Road estate; North4ow; in Jarrnary; Iffity-roadf Ox-
f4(1): artagrounit rents at Battersea, in May
-11Hertford,
Camberwell Muse and the first part of ilaehampton-
' park, . i
July ;.• and FeliXstone estate on the Suffolk
coast;; in Atigust; and tfie t DO t gave a satisfactory
ftecount of the sales and rOgrees's•orf the Works on these
and other estates:' The development onVocKlbury-nark,
Tunbridge Virellso 'has .becn recently so marked as to
demand a second aTlatnipit early in the ensuing year.
:A further laying out of Raehampton-park.will follow in
due course, as well as the offering of another portion Of
the 'Felixstone estate. The works for the' drainage of the
Kentish Town estateare fast approaching compllctiOn. The
societyhas now acquired forty-three estates, in seventeen
CountieS, and negotiations are in pregress. for land in
Counties hitherto untouched. The report in allusion to
the proceedings in the Registration Courts, and to a
considerable addition of voters, remarked, "This
satiVattory result has not, however, been arrived at
Ifithoirt sonVe' of those conflicting decisions peculiar to
the 'Waning off ' the firetent registration system, the
anomalous state. of which tartlet be better illustrated
than: by nrention of the fact,. that .a plot of land for
which £52 4s. dd.. has been paid, and addViang a house
prodticing: £5 a year ground rent, acid £3O per annum
house ,tent; has been' pronounced not to be worth 40s.
per year ; and from sneli monstrous decision there is
no appeal, because it is a. question of fact and not of
law." On the motion of the noble chairman, the report
was unanimously adopted. The retiring directors,
Vicount Ranelagli, Mr. Cobbold, M.P., Hon. W. E. ,
Duncombe, M.P., Mr. Knox Holmes, and Dr. Worth-
ington, were unanimously re-elected and votes of thanks
passed to the . Executive Committee, auditors, and
officers, for their efficient services. A drawing then .
took place for rights of choice on the society's estates,
and there was a proportionate addition of shares by
seniority. :

THE ACCOMMODATION SYSTEM IN THE
LEATHER TRADE.

' The revelations now being made by the examinations
in progress in the Bankruptcy Court in the ease of
Streatfeild, Lawrenee, and Co., confirm all the worst
surmises as to the financiering processes by which the
business was of late years carried on, and the lesson con-
veyed is the old one—that when the accommodation
system has once been commenced, the final result is
merely a question of time. Through the infatuation
which this, firm seems, in some quarters, to have had
the power of inspiring, the present case happens, in
point of extent, to be one of the most remarkable on
record ; but the details are almost precisely similar to
those of a majority of the cases that were developed at
Liverpool, Glasgow, and London, during the clearance
that took place in 1857, and which would have been
more effectual but for the interference of the .Govern-
meat. Accordiog to the latest evidence, the profits
with which the London house of Streatfeild, Laurence,
and Co. has credited itself during the last ten years
have been at the rate of nearly £30,000 per annum,
while those of the London and Liverpool houses
combined have recently been estimated at about
double that amount. A large proportion of these
" profits" simply consisted of charges of 2 per cent.
commission every boar months for the renewal of the
fictitious paper manufactured by themselves, and the
eleven minor establishments that were their satellites.
The total trade transactions of the two firms at London
and Liverpool during the last three years and a-half
amounted to £5,377,750. One of the subordinate houses
,was in that interval supplied with accommodation to the
extent of £706,000, while the actual dealings with it in
tangible goods would have been represented by £20,000.'
Happily, it is now admitted that " Mr. Laurence wa
mistaken when he said this was in the usual way of the
trade." The bills, as fast as they were concocted, were
arranged in the manner " in which it was thought they
would best go down in the discount world." The principal
parties to them seem to have formed a kind of club at
Messrs. Streatfeild's, where they met to specify their
current wants. In order, however, that the bills should
not betray the off-hand nature of their origin, they were
" invariably " drawn for odd money. " The firm,"
His added, "had never taken stock." Under these
circumstances the two points that most strike the atten-
tion are, first, the enormous extent of misrepresentation
that must have been .steadily resorted to, unless we are
to suppose that the discounters by whom the concern
was upheld, and whose manifestations of confidence gave
confidence to others, never asked any questions ; and,
next, the process of demoralisation that must infallibly
have been going on for years, not only among the petty
traders who were lending themselves to the affair, but
also their clerks and all who had opportunities of form-
in.. suspicions. The case of Mr. Mundy is a striking
instance in this respect. Ile was paying his way res-
pectably till, in 1857, Mr. Laurence told him he wanted
"to make use of him as an acceptor of a few bills." In
this way he suffered his name to go out for £25,000,
and is now insolvent to that extent. If there is ono
school of vice more damaging than another it is that of
a secret manufactory of accommodation bills, kept up
with all the prestige that in this country attends the
existence of great commercial firms.

AIUSICAL, DRAMATIC, LITERARY, AND
ARTISTIC NEWS AND GOSSIP.

Baron iklarochetti is at work on a very important
colossal allegory for Sardinia, representing " Italy
Fieed."—Critic.

Nathaniel Hawthorne is engaged upon a new romance,
which, rumour says, is to have for its subject English

Balfe's long-expected opera is announced as being
• immediately forthcoming. It is called " Bianca ; or the
Bravo's Bride."
• A new work of -Arctic travels, from the pen of Sir
John Richardson, is about to be published under the
title of the "Polar Regions." •
It is said that John Russell: Lowell, of " Biglow
Papers" celebrity, has several literary ventures in con-
thmplation; among them a new book of "Fireside
`Travels."
Success is recorded of Madame Hillen-Mitchell, who
made her first_ appearance in the part of " Mathilde,"
in "Guillaume Tell,"
,at the Theatre Royal de ,la
Monnaie, Brussels. •
- Mr. John Drew, a *mew actor of Irish characters, has
appeared at last at the .Lyceum Theatre. in a two-act
drama, founded upon Mr. Lover's novel " Randy Andy."
Mr. Drew's success is reported to have been complete. .
At the meeting of the Royal Academicians, on Wed-
nesday evening:-last, Mr. George Gilbert Stott was
elected an Academician, in the room of Sir Charles
Barry. •
A- new expedition to. Central Africa in search of Dr.
Vogel is being prep'ared in Germany. Committees for
the promotion of - this undertaking, which promises .to
places in Germany.
Thackeray will commence in the January number
of the Cornhill, a new story, of higher pretensions than
" Loyal the Widower," to be entitled " The Adventures
of Philip on his way through the world, showing who
robbed him, who helped him, and who passed him by."
Some months Since, Sir, Bartle Frere sent to this
country a magnificent collection Of casts, from Hindoo
architecture and antiquities.. These are in the custody
of the- Committee of the Architectural Museum ; and,
pending the settlement of the points at issue between
that body and the Government, are at present invisible
to the public.
CorriNo MODEUN PIrrrRES.—A question of some
importance to art and public morals arises out of the
growing practice of copying modern pictures in our
public galleries. If any one will visit the South Ken-
' sington Museum on what is called a " students' day,"
he will find the galleries containing the Vernon and
other gifts crowded with men and women, when not
engaged in flirting, copying the pictures of that collec-
tion. It is not as students that they are so employed,
but simply as manufacturers. Some persons seem to
assume a monopoly of the right of copying certain pic-
tures, especially Landseer's ; and so ostensible is the
purpose for which these copies are -made that they have
been seen marked for sale with the prices attached to
them. These copies aro sold to dealers, who dispose of
them in many cases- to the ignorant as originals, or
replicas by the artist ; and thus the State is to a
certain extent made the encourager of frauds. Such
a result cannot be considered as a legitimate object
of a public gallery, and it seems to us that the
trustees of the National Gallery ought to take effec-
tive measures to prevent the practice. It cannot be
defended as being of the slightest utility to the
promotion of art ; on the contrary, it leads to conse-
quences which are a serious damage to it. It may be
doubtful whether permission should be granted to copy
any modern pictures ; we should say certainly not during
the lifetime of the artist, and not for a long period eter
his death. And even when a copy is permitted, the
copyist should certainly be prohibited from making more
than one copy. There is more than one person who
seem to get a living by copying Sir Joshua Reynolds
Age of Inriocenee, There are many interests con-
cerned in a proper treatment of this question ; the
interests • of art itself, those of the • artist, and those of
the Public, besides what is the proper course for -the
Government. It would be a fit subject for public
discussion at tile Royal Academy, if Stich a thing could
be dreamt of within those walls ; but failing this, the
subject might- be taken up by the Society of Arts, to
which body the Royal Academy seems tacitly to have
A nrren
ount.dered the discussion of 'artistic copyright.—
tli-m

• LIST OP PASSENGERS PER. S.S KANGAROO. Miss
:Isabella Long, Miss F. Lomena, Miss Maxiania Lomena,
Messrs. Joseph BroOks, W. W. Cressv, H. Passley,
Samuel Wilbraham, Peter Manton, H. P. Welsh, H. A.
Abraham, Mrs.,
Mr. Culvert Vaux, Rev. Dr.
Graham, Capt. A. Talbot, Messrs. G. F. Riggs, John
Wilson, John Bradford, John Bennett, Capt. A. H.
Dunbar, and Mr. R. J. Abraham.
SOUTH LANC,A.SHIR'E ASSIZES.—The number of pri-
soners in Kirkdale jail awaiting their trial at the assizes,
is 81. •Of these , there are 2 for murder, 6 intent to
murder, 6 manslaughter, 6 cotting and wounding, 3
rape, 9 robbery Trom the person, 3 bigamy, 2 arson, 20
burglary, 2 housebreaking, 4 forgery, 1 stealing post-
letterS,B concealment of childbirth, 2 feloniously assault-
ing, 2 base coin, 10 night poaching, 3 other offences.
The number of prisoners will probably be increased to
over 90 before the business of the assizes concludes.
EXTENSIVE FIRE; YESTERDAY MORNING.—An exten-
sive fire occurred early yesterday mornin, at the- ropery
in Derby-lane, Bootle. The conflagration originated
between two and three o'clock. Mr. Hewitt was
promptly on the spot, and with efficient assistance and
a good supply of water, manyged to quench the flames
by six o'clock. The damage is considerable ; we were
unable to ascertain the amount. A great portion of the
ropery was consumed. We understand that the loss is
covered by insurance in the Liverpool, the Royal, and
other offices,

~~

-

I LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS' ASSOCIATION..

The fifth meeting of the session of the above associa—
tion was held in the Royal Institution, Colquitt-street,.
last night. Dr. Edwards presided; and there were
about thirty persons present. The following gentlemen
were elected as members of the society :—George
Stevens, 47, Sydney-place ; Tohn S. Tyermau, curator
..of the Botanic Gardens ; and John Lloyd Jones, 2,
Breck-road. The Historic Society of Lancashire and
Yorkshire had contributed to the library the 12th
journal, and promised the journal for December.
Amongst the curiosities presented to the society was a
wasps' neat, by Mr. Trevitt, which was supposed to have
been found on board one of the ships that went upon an
expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, but originally
came from South America. Mr. Tyerman also presented
several curious articles to• the society, and had promised
to sow any peculiar seeds which might be discovered,
and give the society the result of the operation.
Amongst the articles was a wax-bearing tree, from
Georgia; also a specimen of the Sea Island cot-
ton, and likewise a specimen of wild rice from
Georgia. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed
to Mr, Trevitt and Mr. Tyerman; after which the
secretary of the association, Thomas D. Walker, Esq.,,
read a paper "On the Soap Nuts recently presented to.
the Mt:MUM." The paper contained some curious
revelations with reference to the use of substitutes for
soap in different parts of the country, and the practica-
bility of their adaptation. A paper was also read by
H. S. Evans, Esq.. " On the Pharmaceutical History of
Senna," which was of an interesting nature, and'
appeared to give great pleasure to the audience. It
was announced that the committee had met for the
purpose of completing the arrangements for a con-
•
vcractztone, to be held on the 20th ult., which from the
description given by the chairman of some of the
various articles to be exposed on the occasion, promised
to be of an exceedingly interesting character.

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

BENEFICES AND APPOINTMENTS VACANT,

DEANERY-RURAL.
Midhurst : dio Chichester: Rev W G Bayly, D.C.L., dec.
OR-CANONRY.
10th in the CathedralMlN Church of St. Paul, London :. pats D and
C of St Paul's: Rey 12 Shutte, dec.
Gladestry, Radnorshire RECTORIES.
: dio St. David's : val £33.1: Rat..
Lord Chancellor Rey W Thomas, prom.
Halden, High, Kent dio Canterbury : vat £325 with resi—
dence : pat. Archbishop of Canterbury : Rev R Shutte, prom.' London St Benet Sherehog St Stephen, Walbrook : Tat
£332. With residence : pats Lord Chancellor and Grocer's-
Company alt Rev G Croly, LL.D., dec.
Somerby : co arf dio Lincoln : val £150: pat Lord Chancellor :
Rev J Hart, dec.

VICARAGE.
Fittleworth, Sussex : dio Chichester : val £371 with residence
pat Bishop of Chichester . W G Bally, D.C.L., dec.
PERPETUAL CUIIACIEs.
Llanelwedd, Radnor : dio St Davicls val £B5 : pat E D Tho-
mas, Esq : Rev J W Thomas, prom.
Midhurst, Sussex : dio Chichester : V 3 £l7O with residence :
pat Earl of Egmont : Rev W G Bally, dec.