The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-26 00:00:00

ENGLAND AND FRANCE.

WE published in our impression of Saturday a statement
respecting the intimation of the Times, that the sluzgi
of the British fleet in the Bosphorus, and their a.O
of the Black Sea upon the announcement of the affair of
Sinope. The statement was a denial, upon the part of the
French nation, that the intimation of the Times was true,
and that in reality it was the French who were anxious to
"go a-head." Subjoined is the answer of the Times, and it
is conveyed in such close and precise language as to show
that the original allegation was not made without official

inspiration, and that the administration of Lord Aberdeen
has not been the cause of that inactivity which has been so
gravely increased by the country. The tone of the article in
which the Times speaks is indicative of the perfect accor-
dance which now at least prevails between the governments
of England and France :
" The French government have shown, we are well aware,
a strong desire to act with this country in the East, and on
one or two occasions they have even suggested measures to
which the QUEEN'S Ministers did not think it their duty to
accede. Both governments have given very large powers to
their representatives on the spot ; and, in a case like that of
the attack of Sinope, it is obvious that the cabinets of Lon-
don and Paris are physically unable to give any directions
whatever to meet such an emergency. But, whatever in-
ference the public may draw from the fact, we have the
strongest reasons to believe that on two occasions more vigo-
rous measures wereproposed and would have been taken, if the
French officershad accededto them. Some weeks ago, and be-
fore M. DE LA COTJR. left Constantinople, Lord STRATFORD DE
lIRDCLPFFE had proposed— as was well known and publicly
stated at the time —to send a steam squadron,
consisting of three vessels of each nation, for the
purpose of cruizing in the Black Sea. M. DE T
agreed to the Pan, and it is rinu. obTivua now useful such
a .pi.aro. Luignt nave been to observe the movements of
the Russians, and perhaps to prevent the collisions which'
have since taken place. Upon grounds of his own, however,
Admiral HAMELIN first postponed and then declined the
'proposition, which Lord STRATFORD did not think it ex--
pethent to carry into effect without the concurrence of the
French. Again, when the proposal to .put to sea was made
by Admiral DUNDAS on the 2nd of December, it was nega-
tived by General BARAGUAY HILLIERS, and the oppor-
tunity of intercepting the Russian fleet on its return from
Sinope was lost. The organs of France in this country,
who are far more zealous in defence of Louis NAPOLEON'S
policy than of that of England, may dispute these facts with
their accustomed urbanity of language. We believe them
to be true, and we will add that, if true, they have pro-
bably caused more regret and annoyance to LOUIS NAPOLEON
than they can do to us. We do not doubt the sincerity of
those who are acting with us, or direct accusations against
men in a difficult position, who have acted upon their own
sense of duty. Such recriminations should, we think, be
entirely avoided. But these circumstances only serve to
prove more evidently the necessity of a concerted plan of
operations, and of a clear definition of the engagements we
have contracted or assumed. It is satisfactory to know that
subsequently to the late events, and by the last deliberations
of the British Government, such an understanding has been
distinctly established, and that the measures be taken in
common by the British and French naval forces have been
agreed on. If any difference of opinion has occurred at
Constantinople, it has doubtless arisen from an excessive
desire not to prejudge the great question of peace and war,
which remained to be decided by the governments. But
the cabinets of France and England were never more tho-
roughly agreed upon the course it has become necessary to
pursue, and the fleets of the two nations are probably already
in the Black Sea, to give effect, if necessary, to the addi;
tional instructions they will shortly receive.
ST. MAnTmes MEr, SCOTLAND-ROAD.—This market,
which is situated in a densely populated neighborhood, chiefly
inhabited by the poorer classes, was amply supplied with all
that was substantial and useful ; and if the meats did not
possess such an immense quantity of " rough fat" usually
exhibited at this season of the year, they possessed a far
greater quality—that of providing a good dinner without
material loss to the buyer. The principal display was on
the right hand side as you enter the market, where Mr. Wil-
liam Lowcock exhibited two fine Cheviot sheep, bred by
the Duke of Buccleuch, and what may fitly be designated as
" a monster pig," fed by Mr. Sharpies of West Derby.
The other exhibitors who had an extraordinary display were
Mr. Trimmer and Mr. Harvey ; the meat, comprising beef,
mutton, pork, and lamb, being excellent as to quality. From
the preparations that are being made by all the occupants of
this market, there can be little doubt but there will be a
grand display this evening.

THE PRESTOS STRIKE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

PRESTON, DEC. 24.—N0 change can yet be reported in
the position of the contending parties. The returns show
that the number of unemployed hands relieved this week
was 15,781; last week 15,608—increase 279. The amount
paid to the hands this week was £2,938 12s. Od; last week
£2,908 7s. 3d.—increase £3O 6s. 9d. Subjoined is a list
of the total sum this week disbursed in relief by each of
the six committees,

NO. RELIEVED. AMOUNT

£ s. d.
Power-loom weavers' committee 10,121 1,921 9 0
Spinners' and self-actors' committee 3,016 601 2 6
Card-room hands' committee 1,908 259 .0 6
Throstle spinners' committee 689
Power-loom overlookers' committee 189

58 13 3
29 0 0

Tape machine sizers' committee

15,781 £2,938 12 0
To the above-named sum of £2,938 12s. must be added the
expenses incident to the conduct of the agitation, consisting
of the following items :—delegates, committees, and col-
lectors, £79, 3s. 6d. ' • rent, postage, and sundries, £l3 2S.
31d.; printing reports and posters, £67 10s. 9d.; additional
relief, £ll5 2s. 7d. It thus appears that the total expendi-
ture of the week amounts to £3,213 11s. 1 id. The expenses
exclusive of relief are about five per cent on the snm
collected.

The operative spinners had a meeting in the Temperance
Hall last night, when, after a series of speeches, the annexed
resolution was adopted :—"That we, the operative spinners
and minders of Preston, do still resolve to have our just and
equitable demands before we resume work." Votes of
thanks were passed to the trades of England, and to the
Blackburn masters; the proceedings being wound up with
cheers for the ten per cent.
_