The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-12-02 00:00:00

feet above ti

generally

they have cuff

prospects

The weather in British Guiania had been fine.
with occasional showers, and the estates were all
busily engaged_gathering in the crop. The newa
from Central Amevice is not of any importance.
News up to the Ist-ult., received from the city of
,ed Veic Craz. It states that

Mexico. had read

General Orilniela, wit]

rtion of the
garrison of the city of 'Puebla, had pronounced
against• the dictatorial power of Senor Comonfort,.
proclaiming the constitution of 1814, and the
annulling of 'the laws depriving the clergy
and army of their ,privileges, and ordering
the property of the church to be sold by
auction. The Government troops had advanced
on the city, and occupied some of its important
points. Tampioo, Q,teretaro, and many other
places had also pronounced against the Govern-
ment, and, if the movement at Puebla was not soon.
put an end to, would spread generally over the
country.

At Grey Town, Nov. 5, were stationed her Ma-
jesty's ships Orion, Imp.rieuse, Arrogant, Cossack,
Victor, Intrepid., and Pioneer; St. Thomas, 7th,
Eurydice, arrived from Bermuda, and sailed again
on the 9/ ; B uhadoes. 11th, Arachne, Brilliant,
Perseverance; Port Royal, llth, Termagant, Eury-
alus, Falcon, Atalanta, Arab, and•lmaun ; Port au
Prince, Amphion, Belize, and Archer.

MESSRS. ClittpLAINT AND HORNIC—These eminent car-
riers have been appointed agents for the collection and deli—
very of hoods, &c., by the 'Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
Chfshire Junction Railway Company, and have now offices
and stares at the Manchestet }Lan and James's street, for
the above purpose.

EXHIBITNN OF C(IMMONI N PL ATE Foe THE NEW
CHURCH AT PorTuauAtrwoltr lA:ccm.N.—The conscera-
tion of this beautiful structure takes place on the Bth inst,,
in the presence of a very large and influential body of
clergy, nobitity, and gentry. It has been fitted up in the
most beautiful style, and the altar is most elegant. The
communion pate has been manufactured by Mr. John G.
Jacob, silversmith, Church street,in whose window it will lie,
for a few days. It is formed of solid silver, richly engraved.,
with gold mountings and enamel bosses, after the antique.
Any IF Non having time :lonia take the opportunity of
seeing it before it leaves Liverpool. It is evident that art
is advancing in such works by comparison with former
productions.

CORONER'S INQUESTS.—Yesterday the Coroner held the
following inquest; :—Oa the body of John Cragg, a dock
gateman at the Sandon Dock, who was drowned on Friday
evening. The deceased was in the act of handing up a
light, whioh was at the deck wile wall, in order to ascer-
tain the depth of water, when he overbalanced himself and
fell in. The body was not got out for nearly three hours,
tt oloyff
hrE,
found
usvneldri
house,
bou
ens
r-.
although every exertion was made to recover it. Verdict
" Accidental death."—On the body of Ellen O'Donnell, 44
years of age, who was an inrna.te;of the West Derby Work-
house, and who died under the following circumstances :
Mr. Gough, the governor of the workhouse, said, on
Saturday afternoon he had about •?00 of the old men and
women to see Anderson's performance, and he tooashinaedsdodromihoered.
o f
assistth e
tyhoeu
oldernger oneso,lones.
(of.
oa iChoyl
aiwhomslreththhueaerdendoeatuocledtalhasefesodshroowhuresaaresl.eho,enbfeuo)tth
four women amissing, and shortly after Mr. Lobly, a
publican, in Brunswick-read, informed him that the.
women
e:
tn,
road. The deceased was one of the women, and both were
Subse-
quentlybroughtdialaottot
ht thehere
thi
mn
medicalue soe .b s Thegentlemen
nv
te l
eds
mhe deceased se;sedr
drunk,
glass
called,drunk,ii
bhuet
women were sitting on steps in Elilowernaurdlba-
lying on a seat drunk, mid assisteds
about one o'clock on Sunday morning. Mr. Lobly stated
wthoautldthneotd ehcaevaes ed
given and t
ialen oat
in Nevins
B run Brunswick-road, itcelnc-drda da, nd
wheredid
work-
house. The Jury found a ' verdict of " Death from exces-
sive drinking."—On the body of a man, name unknown,
who fell into the King's Donk on Saturday night and was
drowned. It was stated that he was drimk at the time.
lie appeared about
40 years of age, grey hair, 5 feet 7
her towards the
snidFedridinayLnoingron.. Tuhee,
gin flannel singlet, moleskin trousers, Blucher boots, and
inches; high, had on a blue pilot jacket., grey flannel vest,.
white cotton stockings. Verdict "Found drowned."—Oa,
4tdeileleedasaedt twhaesLainmaecsoon-uene
the body of Thomas Underhill, 42 years of age, who was
and added " that there was not the
out of train, and died in the Infir-
was injured on getting
affair was purely accidental, and the Jury
wary. The
slightest blame attached to the servants of the company."
—On the body of Edward Sephton, six years of age, who-
died of inflammation of the bowels. Verdict accordinglyfound accordingly,

POLICE INTELLIGENCE

LIVERPOOL.
BEFORE MR. H. BARLE

A FAMILY QUARREL.—Patrick Meade, a respectable
looking person, was brought up by detectives Povey and
M'Calloch, on a charge of having broken into the house of
his sisters, situate in Bright street, Crown street, and for
having stolen two boxes and other articles, value £4. At
three o'clock on Sunday the police heard of the house
having been broken into, and, on going to the place, they
found the back wall had been crossed, a window and a door
broken, the house entered, and the property stolen. They
went to the prisoner's lodging, at 13, Hunter street, where
the property was found, having been left there by the
prisoner some time before. The prisoner was subsequently
arrested in Nelson street. The sisters of the prisoner
identified the property, and said the prisoner had no right
or clFm to it. The prrsoner said the property in the house
was joint between him and his sisters—(the sisters cried
out "No, no"),—and that he was in great dis►ress. They
refused to give him any assistance, and he admitted that he
did break into the house, and take the property, although
he knew it was a bad thing ; but if his worship knew the
extremity he was driven to, he would look in a different
light upon the subject. He knew it was a horrible thing
to do what be had done, but as the property was joint he
had a right to it. His Worship said, although the action
of the prisoner was a bad o❑e, he did not think, under the
circumstances, it amounted to a felony, and he therefore

discharged the prisoner with a caution.

BoncYa.Artlr.-LLawrence Cleary, a plasterer, was brought
up on remand, charged with being concerned in a burglary
and robbery, committed on Saturday night week, in the
house ofi Mr. Thomas Clegg (reporter), Every street. In
the absenca of Mr. and Mrs. Clegg, on the night in ques-
tion, the house was entered, and a trunk full of property
stolen. Soon after, the prisoner was got in the street by a
policeman, who found some of Mr. Clegg's boots, and some
property belonging to Mrs. Clegg, in his possession. On
Wednesday night, a shawl that had been stolen out of the
house was thrown back over Mr. Clegg's wall into the yard.
The prisoner was sent for trial.
A "Noss I"—Patrick Larkin, described as a " Nose"—
that is, a fellow who goes about pointing out pickpockets
to the police, was brought up, charged for attempting to
pick pockets. However well he '• nosed" for others, it
appeared that the police " nosed him ; " and the case being
fully proved, he was sent to gaol for one month.

COUNTY
COURT-YESTERDAY

BEFORE JOSEPH POLLOCK, ESQ, JUDGE.

ARRANGEMENT OF Busrxess.—The folio Aing arrange.
ment was made of the business of the first December court :

Tuesday (this day), commitment summonses, insolvencies,
&c. Wednesday. 3rd, 70 cases at 10 and 50 at 12 Thurs-
day, 33 cases of £lO and upwards. Friday, 70 cases at 10
and 80 at 12. Tuesday, 9Lh, 72 cases at 10 and 48 at 12.
Wednesday, 70 at 10 and 50 at 12. Thursday, 70 at 10
and 51 at 12. Friday, 12th December, adjourned cases,
and 93 other cases. Total number of cases to be heard at
this court, 758.

CAXPEELL v. WILKIE AND OTHERS. —This was an
action brought by Mr. Campbell, solicitor, of Liverpool,
against four parties, named respectively Wilkie, Howard,
Owen, and Marsden, to recover X 45 13s. 6d. for professional
services. Mr, Grocott appeared for the plaintiff : Mr.
Aspinall, barrister, respreseeted Mr. Wilkie: Mr. Goodere,
solicitor, appeared for Messrs. Marsden and Owen. The
defendant, Howard, was unrepresented. The claim was
made for services rendered by the plaintiff, as attorney, from
December, 1854, to July, 1855, in aiding the defendants to
form a company, called the " Llanerch Llandbadernfawu
Silver and Lead Mining Company," for which purpose
plaintiff performed journeys into Wales and other services.
Having deposed as to his services, the plaintiff was cross-
examined by Mr. Aspinall, and denied that on the occasion of
one of these journeys be had to be left behind at Oswestry,
in consequence of being drunk, and that he had to be left in
charge of a policeman. He admitted that he might, per-
haps, on one occasion, have been " lively ;" but declared
that if not sober throughout the whole of the journey, he
was, at leas', more sober than the individual who, be alleged,
had instructed Mr. Aspinall to put such questions. Mr.
Goodere farther cross-examined Mr. Capmbell, who den ed
that he was rendered incapable of performing his profes-
sional services on any occasion by being drunk, or that he
had, in one instance, to be propped up by the guard of a
He admitted, however, that on these professional
-eursions the parties did not spare expense, and did not
live at all in anehorite fashion. Mr. Grocott, in re-examin-
ing Mr. Campbell, asked—did you ever see Mr, Goodere
drunk in the Police Court ? Mr. Goodere : Oh, come, that
is nonsense, you know : he was turned out of the Polic
Court himself for being drunk. (Laughter.) His Honor
declined to allow Mr. Grocott to put the question. Mr.
Goodere : Were you not turned out of the Police Court
for being drunk ? Mr. Campbell : N sir ; never.
Mr. Goodere : Were you never drunk in the Police
Court ? Mr. Campbell : Certainly not.
ral witnesses were called, and, after the case was con
eluded, his Honour said there was no doubt but that a

n Important
pany, and they must pay tor the blessing. lie

solicitor was necessary in th

e formation of

mining

- - uld give a verdict fur the plaintiff for the amount claim
_ -

ght deductions

GOUTY MINISTERS.—The Marquis of Lansdowne has
recovered from his recent attack of gout, and intends
leaving London on Tuesday next for his seat, Bowood
Park, Wilts.—Lord Panmure is suffering from an attack
of gout, which prevented his lordship attending either
the Queen's Privy Council on Friday, or the Cabinet
Council held on Saturday.
REMOVAL OF A POSTMASTER.—The republication of the
following paragraph, wh;ch we find in the Kent Herald,
may be useful In order not to inflict unnecessary pain,
we omit the name and place •—" Mr P., who has for many
years filled the officer of postmaster here, has been removed
from his situation. For some years it has been a matter of
surprise that one so uncourteus and disobliging should have
retained his situation. The complaints to the Postmaster-
General have been frequent, and a complaint from an
influential M.P., who experienced some incivility, has been
the cause of the change. We believe that Mr. P.'s strict
integrity has been the main cause of his remaining in office
so long."

CITiL SERVICE SITPERANNUATIONS.—An appendix to the
late report on civil service superannuations, just published,
contains a supplementary report from the pens of Mr.
Ansell and Mr. Morgan, actuaries of the Atlas and Equitable
Assurance offices, on the subject. The select committee
was desirouss to ascertain whether the deductions made from
the salaries of the civil servants are more than adequate
payment for the advantages by them receivable in the shape
of retired allowances. These gentlemen report that there is
sufficient reason to believe that the present rates of
deduction (2i and 5 per cent) do press unequally on different
persons in the civil service, so that, cceteris paribus, !hose
who enter the service in early life contribute relatively
more than those who enter at more advanced ages;
and further, that those who, starting with equally low
rates of salary, but who subsequently rise to the highest
salaries, and therefore become entitled to a hither rate-
of superannuation, do contribute relatively less than those
who, having entered on the same low rate of salary, are so
placed in the service as to give them little prospect of
advancing beyond comparatively low or moderate salaries.
The second question put to the actuaries was this :
Whether the whole body of the civil service, taken collectively,
does contribute, by deductions from salaries, more or less is
sufficient to provide for the pensions that have been granted
under the Act of 1834, or may be granted under the altered
state of the law as proposed by the bill under the
consideration of the select committee, or under the Act of
1834 ? The actuaries report that there are not sufficient
4ata for an answer -- further information

and they solicit .
on" the point, in the shape of official returns

he 16th of June last.

:Ito report

ANOTHER Sliest NOBLEMAN.—Henry Philip Arthy, who
has assumed the title of Lord John Hay, was charged at one
of the London Police-offices, on Saturday, with defrauding
various tradesmen, by means of spurious cheques and frau-
dulent representations. Mr. Denny, of 123, Ileg,ent street,
jeweller, said :—On the evening of the 30th of September,
prisoner came to his shop and made a selection of jewellery,
Which came to £66. He wrote two cheques on Messrs.
Stone, And Co., bankers, Lombard street, and signed them
" Jobe ftuxton Hay," saying that was the family name, and
th2t be was Lord John Hay. His story being creditei, he
Was allowed to take the goods away, but when the cheques
were presented the next day, the reply was " no effects."
He enquired how the prisoner obtained a cheque book of
the firm, and the reply was that he did so by representing
himself as an attache to the Emperor Louis Napoleon,
which statement he pretended to verify by producing what
appeared to be a cheque from Messrs. Baring and Co. in his
favour. The prisoner, in reply to this charge, said his
family had rendered great services to the French Emperor
and £3OO had been given to them as a mark of respect
He expected £2OO to be sent on a future day. He would
be of aga in December, and would instruct his solicitor to
return the jewellery. He had given cheques for the amount
in the belief that the money was at the bank to meet them.
4. second charge was for obtaining a dog from Charles End"
ty peace of a spurious cheque. The complainant proved
:that the prisoner bought a dog of him at the tletinninc,
of
this moe,th for twelve guineas, and paid him with a chequeon Jox and Co. for £9, and the rest in money. The
leque was signed H. P. Astley, and was refused payment,
no Such a person being known. The prisoner represented
himself in this case to be the son of the Earl of Kinnonl.
It being intimated that several other cases will be brought
forward against him, the prisoner was remanded till next
Thursday.

THE GREAT LUXEMBOURG RAILWAY

A meeting of the Liverpool proprietors of the Great
Luxembourg Railway, was held in the Clarendon Rooms,
at one o'clock yesterday, for the purpose of bearing a state-
ment from the agent of the company, Mr. H. C. Beloe,
relative to the present position and prospects of the line.
There was a numerous attendance of proprietors.
Mr. Beloe stated, that as agent of the company, he had
felt it his duty recently to go over to Brussels, for the pur-
pose of making himself personally acquainted with the
present condition and future prospects of the Great Luxem•
bourg Line. That line had long been before the public—
represented as a must unfortunate concern; in fact, he
found it called in Belgium the "Young Dutchman." having
been started after the Dutch Rhenish Railway Company.
He said to those who made the remark, that he trusted the
result would be equally successful. Now, especially as men
of real business capacity had taken the management of the
concern in hand, he felt a confident hope that it would be
resuscitated from its formerly deplorable condition. How-
ever, what he now wanted to do, was to draw the attention
of the proprietors to the actual position of the line at present,
and to its prospects for the future. He went over entirely
unofficially, merely to make himself acquainted with the
facts. AU he asked from the directors in London was a
letter of introduction to their manager at Brussels. Having
obtained this, he received from Mr. Benjamin Reed, the
very efEcient manager at Brussels, replies of the most direct
-oncise kind to every question which he put, and which
es had been carefully prepared before hand, with a
view to elicit information. If he had nothing else to con-
gratulate the proprietors upon, it would be on the possession
of one of the most efficient servants it had ever been his lot
to meet in any railroad undertaking. The result of his
erviries he would now proceed to state. The line from
Brussels to Namur was now completed, thirty-four miles in
length. together with a short branch of four miles round
Brussels, to connect the Great Luxembourg with the Belgian
State line. This latter had only been very recently made,
and the main object of making it was, that goods might be
at once transferred from one line to the other intended for the
interior by Namur, and to bring it into direct accord with the
Ostend and Antwerp traffic. At p esent a joint station
was used, which was small end inconvenient, and which
must be enlarged, or another must be built adjoining.
From Brussels to Namur, by the present line of railway,
was sixty eight miles, but by the line of this company only
thirty fair miles exactly, so that the meeting would at once
perceive the advantage gained by a direct communication
with Namur, which was a town with about 30,000 inhabi-
tants, and was, in fact, the Sheffield of Belgium, as they
were all aware that Liege was the Birmingham of Belgium.
But while the distance gained from Brussels to Namur on
this line, was thirty four miles, the distance gained from
Brussels to Liege, at the other end of the Namur and Liege
line, was but two miles. To any point on the Namur and
Liege line, short of Liege itself, the advantage ef distance
in favour of the Great Luxembourg line was in proportion
to the distance of the particular spot from Liege. From
Brussels, therefore, to many places of considerable
manufacture and traffic, the distance was decidedly in
favour of the Great Luxembourg. Namur was the central
depot of large traffic in iron and wood, and from it the
Great Luxembourg became in immediate contact with
several other ;lines, such as the Namur and Liege, the
Charleroi and Louvain, and the Sambre and Me Ise, over all
of which the company now booked. Their line afforded an
immediate facility, therefore, for travellers, whether they
wanted to go to Cologne or to Paris. One third of all the
traffic of the line was derived from goods and pas-
sengers to places beyond Namur, or one or other of
the lines which joined it, and with which they were now
in connection. The distant i from Brussels to Paris would
be shortened by fifteen miles, when the traffic would flow
over their line by Charleroi, rather than go round by the
Stale line. He could not say that it would be advisable
immediately to urge the permission to book through,
because it would require a good deal of tact and policy not
to create too much jealousy on the part of the Belgian
Government for their own State line. The Government
had a control over them, and might annoy them. But
there could be little doubt that hereafter this would be
accomplished. If the Trent Valley line was made to save
ten miles, surely fifteen miles between Paris and Brussels
must be a consideration. The same argument, although
not quite so much as to distance, would apply to the per-
mission to book through from Brussels to Cologne, instead
of going round by the State line as at present. It would be
a slight saving of distance, about two miles, but it had the
advantage, which gentlemen who had travelled through
that part of the country would know very well, that the
valley from Namur to Liege was one of the most beautiful
railroad drives in Europe. Nothing could be more beauti-
ful, although there were several tunnels ; and the
attraction of passing through the valley of the Meuse
would mainly secure to them a large body of
tourists in summer, from Brussels to Namur, rather than
going round by the States line. Of course it would be
quite out of his province to go into the financial considera-
tions, to attempt which would be assuming the office of the
directors. But he might mention one fact, that the present
revenue of the line from Brussels to Namur yielded a suffi-
cient profit, within a very trifle, to pay the interest on the
hooded debt, which, up to the last year's account, had
,en charged to capital. They would see on the map
' ---e Namur to Arlon. He should confess

q uestio

al ways b

that that wes the most difficult part of their line to con-
struct, and which was leant likely to yield them an im-
mediate profit. It was 83 miles in length, exclusive of two
small branches to the frontier, the one to Langwys, and
the other towards Luxembourg, together about thirteen
miles, which were not yet constructed, and the probable
cost might be taken at £12,000 per mite, or, altogether,
£1,000,000. The whole was contracted for, and the works
were now in progress. Eighteen miles of it, from Namur
to Ciney, would be open in December, 1857, .and the rest
in the following month of August, and it was to that portion
of their line that the Government guarautee of 4 per cent.

extended

A Shareholders : That is from Nimnr to Arlon.
Mr. Beloe : Yes, that was the portion of their line to
which the guarantee applied, and it was absolute for fifty
years upon a total expenditure of £BOO,OOO, commencing as
each portion of the line was opened. It was simply a
guarantee which, if the government was called on to fulfil,
so also weuld the government seek repayment if circum•
stances permitted—that was, if the company earned only
3 per cent., government would pay 1 per cent., and if the
company earned 5 per cent., then they should repay the
sum granted by government out of the surplus above 4 per
cent. On the lst January, 1858, the guarantee of 4 per
cent would be rayable on the 18 miles from Namur to Ciney,
and so on as they opened the line from tme to time. Mr.
Reed, however, though that when the line was completed
in its integrity, it would pay more than 4 p-2r cent. ; but
having given the guarantee, the government reserved to
itself the right of a surveillance over the working of the
line, which they would have an interest in doing in the
most economic it manner. The guarantee, however, was
specially important, because the gradients throughout that
part of the line were exceedingly unfavourable, and the
workings would be expelisive, but when the line was con-
nected with that of Strasbourg, it would amply repay all
parties. Having stated that the 13 miles—the short
branches already mentioned—would be constructed at
£9,000 per mile, Mr. Beloe proceeded to show
that the large amount of traffic which now en-
tered Belgium from Strasbourg and Central Eu-
rope by way of Cologne and Verviers would, on the com-
pletion of the Great Luxembourg, ft ,w from Strasbourg
dirre via Arlon and .Namur. It was first feared that they
would have an opposition to their line by the States line
adopting a competing tariff, but there seemed little fear of
that when they considered the respective mileage of the
two lines on the one hand, and the guarantee on the other.
In conclusion Mr. B doe mentioned that a B Agian gentleman
had told him that their line had yielded a larger mileage
rate on opening than any other railway in Belgium, not
excepting the line from Brussels to Antwerp, which was the
most lucrative of them all.
A Shareholder asked if the line at present paid its working
expenses ?

Mr. Beloe replied, that it not only paid the working
expenses, but yielded £22,000 a year against the charge for
interest on the bonds of £20,000, so that the bond debt was
perfectly secured whatever happer
Another Shareholder asked if the earnings of the whole
line were to be considered, when the account between
them and the g ,vernment, as to the guarantee, was being
arranged.
Mr. Beloe replied that they were not. The Namur and
Brussels line was entirely independent of the Namur and
Arlon line. The guarantee only applied to the latter, and
its earnings alone should exceed 4 per cent. before they were
called on to pay the money advanced by government. It
passed through a sterile country, though valuable in
mineral products, and it was on that account that the
government gave the guarantee.
Mr. T. E. Moss moved that the thanks of the meeting be
given to Mr. Beloe for the valuable information which he
had given them respecting the line. Ile (Mr. sloss) had
been in Belgium last month, and what one of the Belgian
directors had told him fully confirmed what Mr. Thine
stated, namely, that the line would be open in August, 1858,
and would pay 4 per cent.
The motion was carried by acclamation, after which the
meeting separated.

CRIMEAN SoLmeus.—The New York Evening Post of
the 4th inst. says :—" A great many men who left our
ghores during the late war with Russia to join the British
army in the Crimea have now returned and enlisted in
our army. Many of them have the Crimean medal
bestowed by the British government, which they are still
rtermitted to wear. Ten or twelve of them made applica-
tion_ at the rendezvous in this city on one day last week,
and we are told that some are enlisted almost every day."

LIVERPOOL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The usual monthly meeting of the council of this body
was held yesterday, Chas. Holland, Esq., in the chair.
Among the communications was a letter from the London
Law Amendment Society, inviting the opinion of the
council as to the desirableness of holding a conference to
conside' the subjects for future commercial legislation, and
enquiring whether the Chamber would send a deputation,
should such a conference be held. Ordered to be replied to
in the affirmative as to both questions, the letter to be
referred to the Commercial Law Committee, to arrange the
subjects it would be desirable to have discussed. The
following letter from Mr. M'Leod, Tier Majesty's Consul at
Moz imbique, was ordered to be inserted in the report of
proceedings, for the sake of publicity, and to collect infor.
mation on the subject on which it treats :
To the President of the Chamber of Commerce, livelpool.
London, Nor._22, 1856.

Sir,—Being about to proceed to my post at Mozambique,
I am anxious to place myself in communication with the
Chamber of Commerce of Liverpool, to request that they
will do me the favour of forwarding to me, at their earliest
convenience, any suggestions which they may consider
condncive to the furtherance of commerce, and more
especially the introduction of British manufactures to a
portion of Africa hitherto almost unknown to the merchants
of this country.—l have, &c., I'. LYONS M'LEon,
Her Majesty's Consul at Mozambique.
An important communication from the East India House
on the subject of the iron ores of India, and one from the
Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, complaining of the
delay in discharging vessels at that port, were laid on the
table.

Mr. Heath brought firward the motion, of which be
gave notice at the last meeting, approving of the declara-
tions of the late Paris Congress concerning maritime law
in the case of war ; and also the additional propositions
made by the Government of the United States. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Coake; but, on a discussion
taking place, it was agreed that It was not, at present,
expedient for the council to express an opinion upon the
subject.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

The usual periodical meeting of this society was hel
last evening, at the Royal Institution, Colquitt street.
Dr. Inman, the president of the society, was in the chair.
The usual routine business having been disposed of, the
Rev. Dr. Higgins exhibited some curious specimens of fancy
woods—both English and foreign—out of a great number
he had collected. Some conversation ensued as to the
great usefulness of the poplar, which was stated to
be very much used in other foreign countries
for domestic purposes, the flooring of bed-rooms, for which
it was peculiar is applicable. being much warmer than any
other.

The Secretary then exhibited a Russian saddle-bag and
hussar's cloak, taken at the Redau, by Captain Plunket, by
whose lady it was sent to the society. The former was of
Russian leather, and very capacious, while the latter was
exceedingly gaudy in its outward appearance, but of
great weight and exceedingly warm and comfortable.
Several donations were presented to the society.
amongst which were the Report of the Belfast Natural
H'story and Philosophical Society, and Memoirs of the
Ilianchester Botanic Society, for which the thanks of the
society were voted. Mr. Archer then exhibited a specimen
of coal found in a mine in Glamorganshire, which he
explained as being very rare. The chairman then said the
paper for the evening should have been read by Mr.
James Yates, but he was sorry t) say that that
gentleman had been prevented from doing so by
the death of his brother Richard; but, in his absence, the
Rev. John Robberds had consented to read a paper on " A
Manchester Newspaper a Century ago." The Rev. gentle-
man then read an interesting paper, chiefly consistirg of
extracts irom the Manchester Magazine of 1742, and con-
trasted the difference of the pubiication with a newspaper
of the present day. A vote of thanks to the Rev. gentleman
concluded the business of the evening.

GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATES TO
SCHOLARS IN DAY SCHOOLS.

Yesterday evening the Rev. W. Birley, her Majesty's
Inspector of Schools, held a meeting, in St. James's School,
of the parents of children who have received their education
in schools under Government inspection, at the south end of
the town, and who have either left to go to situations, or
are about to leave for that purpose. The rev. gentleman
first addressed the parents, generally, on the importance of
a sound Christian education, and the duty, on their part, to
make any and every sacrifice, in order that their children
may obtain it. He showed the advantages now offered in
our pnblic schools, through the liberality of Government,
and those who choose to avail themselves of these advan-
tages may, by regularity of attendance, and good condact at
school, obtain certificates of character that tray be invaluable
to them. At the conclusion of his address, the rev. gentle-
man called up eighteen boys and gir's, belonging to St,
James's, St. Barnabas's, St. Bride's, and at. Thomas's,
schools, and delivered a certificate to each. After this he
addressed the recipients in affectionate terms, exhorting
them to persevere i❑ the course they had commenced, retai❑
their good character, be truth fel, trustworthy, and
conscientious, and, by so doing, give satisfaction and con-
fidence to their employers,

We had an opportunity of examining one of these cer-
tificates, sent down from the office of the committee of
council. It is a neatly engraved design, surrounded by an
appropriately ornamented border. On this certificate is
the boy's name, age, time he has been at school, progress
made in arithmetic, grammar, geography, history, and
Scripture, and his general character and conduct
while at school. This document is i,igned by
the teacher, countersigned by the managers of the
school, the clergyman, and her Majesty's Inspector.
It strikes us very forcibly that if a list of such holders of
ceetificates were kept, the merchants and gentlemen of
Liverpool would do an incalculable amount of good to the
cause of education, by giving appointments to such deserv-
ing youths, or by giving the preference to such as hold certi-
ficates of character over other candidates. They would, by
so doing, give an impetus to the work of education ; and,
when p rents saw that good situations are obtainable by
such as have remained at school a certain period, and earned
a good character, they would be induced to send their chil-
dren regularly to school, and retain them there. Gentlemen
would themselves reap the benefit of having intelligent,well
conducted, confidential youths in their employ.