The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-05-16 00:00:00

HISTORIC

SOCIETY OP LANCASHIRE AND
CHESHIRE.

The closing meeting for the session of this society, took
place In the grand jury room, St. George's Hall, at seven
o'clock last night. The Rev. Dr. Thom presided _ _ •

The Secretary read a letter from the president of the
society, Major General Sir Edward Cust, K.C.11., who
expressed his great regret that indisposition prevented
him from attending the meeting, according to his inten-
tion.

Several applications for admission as members were
receive 4, to be determined on nest session. It was stated
that between 30 and 40 members had been enrolled since
November last.

The list of donations, which was exceeding long, com-
prised a number of copies of the proceedings of the royal
Society of London, the Philological Society, the Ashmo-
lean Society, Oxford, the Royal Geographical Society,
the Geological Society of Dublin;' 4 reports from Mr.
Robert Rawlinson, C.E. ; a volume of songs and carols
from a manuscript in the British museum, edited by Mr.
Thomas Wright, and presented by him, and several other
volumes and pamphlets presented by friends to the
society. _ _

Mr. Peacock of Chester, exhibited a considerable num-
- - -

ber of very interesting antiquarian curiosities, recently
found in that city, principally Roman fibulae coins, a
Styhus, two lachnymatories, &c.
Mr. J. N. Cross exhibited two ancient volumes, one a
description of England and Wales from 1108 B. C. to
1519 A. P., and the other treatise by Sylvanus Morgan,
dated 1652, on Geometry and Dialling.
Mr. Poole exhibited a newly invented breech-loading
rifle, which can be loaded 400 times in an hour, and
requires no cleaning, each discharge cleaning the barrel.
The inventor is Mr. Bentley, of this town.

The Secretary announced that independent of the addi-
tions to the museum, and most of the objects now pre-
sented, there had been 545 volumes presented during the
session. - _ _ .

vv
Some conversation took place in reference to the pro-
posed annual excursion, which it was finally agreed
should be to Preston. A committee was formed to carry
out the arrangements. _ _

Mr. R. A. Macfie suggested the propriety of the society
taking some steps to provide scientific or other instruc-
tive lectures for the benefit of the public on the day of
rejoicing, and expressed an opinion that Hope-hall would
be readily conceded for the purpose.
The Rev. Mr. Moore read the first paper for the evening,
the subject of which was the "Ancient Geometrical
Analysis." The author of the paper was Mr. Thos. T.
Wilkinson, of Burnley, a member of the society, and gave
a most interesting account of the process, as well as of
the principal writers upon the subject.
The next paper announced was one upon " some of the
alleged changes in Liverpool Bay, prior to the year 1800,"
by Mr. Joseph Boult, but in consequence of the lateness
of the hour, Mr. Boult withdrew his paper despite the
urgent request of the chairman and several members that
he would proceed. Considerable time was occupied in
urging and debating the resolution, which ended, however,
in Mr. Boult persisting in his resolution.
Mr. J. T. Dawson, the Vice-president, then wound up
the proceedings by delivering an eloquent and compre-
hensive address, in which he took a general review of the
proceedings and results of the session.
The session then closed with a vote of thanks to the
President, Vice-president, and Dr. Hume.

THE MARQUIS or DALifonstu.—Lord Dalhousie remains
at the George Hotel, Portsmouth, and will probably
stop there for a few days longer for the sake of repose.
His lordship improves in health, though slowly. We
are informed that the illness from which the late
governor-general suffers arises from his having some

years since struck his leg against a piece of timber in
one of his Indian journeys, and the wound appearing
slight little heed was paid to it. It has, however,
assumed a great importance, swellings taking place
around it almost fortnightly, involving the necessity of
a treatment which exhausts the whole system.

THE CJIIMEAN MIILITAR

ENQUIRY.—The Board re-

assembled yesterday morning at the usual hour. It was
intimated that a communication had been addressed to Sir

mmissary-

Charles Trevelyan, of the Treasury, that C
General Filder, in the statement of his case, would probably
refer to the arrangement made by Sir Charles Trevelyan for
the supply of forrage, and therefore, the the I,tter might
wish to be present. It was stated, however, that Sir Charles
Trevelyan had replied, declining to avail himself of the
invitation. Mr. Filder then opened his case in refutati )n of
the report of the Crimean commissioners, and had not eon-
eluded when the Beard adjource 1 until this day, when it
is expected that its public sittings will terminate.

BANKapPwaY CounT.—On Wednesday, the following
bankrupts came up for the purpose of passing their last
examinations : George Byford, Wm. Sharratt, and Thomas
Bann. They were respectively examined, and a further
adjourninent took place in each case.

mEg,-Livrq

MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL.

LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY EVENIND

The Cotton market has shown no new feature
Ao-day. The sales have_ been 7,000 bales, of which
,-have been taken for speculation and export.
-The ,Share Market has been steady, but the
business done has not been large. The closing
-prices weretz=Aberdeen, 121 -138. 'Cliester and
Birkenhead, in ,151., , Caledonian, 29'1
Chester and „Holyhead,.lq 16.; Eastern Jounties,
10 101._ East Lancashire, , 191, 194,_ Great
Noithern, 23124. Ditto A, 9.1 10. Great Western,
61i 62. Lancashire and4Yarlishire Stock, 901 908.
Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 161' 171. London
and North Western Stock; 1011 1011. Manchester
Sheffield, and Lincoln; 291292. Ditto Pref., 111 12
Ditto New 6 per cent. Pref., 7-16 9'-16p: Midland
Stnck, 76 761. North British, 8 11-16 813 16. • North
5,t-Itfferdshirc, 6 514. South Eastern and Dover,
211-21 11-13. York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 19
13-16 19 15-16. York and North Midland, 28 28*.
Leeds Capital Stock, 151 16. Buffalo and Lake
Huron, 18 lip. Dutch Rhenish, 15.16 lip. Great
Western of Canada, 26.9-16 26 11-16. Ditto New
Shares, .31 38p. Ditto 2nd issue, 31 38p. Great
Luxembourg, 81
Yesterday afternoon, Messrs. Robert A. Munn
and. Co. held their fortnightly sale of ships. The
attendance was large, from the announcement that
the well known ship British Empire was to be
offered. This vessel, we believe, is the largest
British built sailing - ship afloat, and is better
known by her, former name, the . Demerara. She
was built et Bristol, in • 1851, for the West India
Mail Company. After a spirited competition, she
was knocked down for 16,0001.
The steamer Arago, from New York, has arrived
at Southampton with dates to the
.3rd instant.
There
.had been very. little change in commercial
affairs. Exchange on London was quoted at
1091. Cotton was quiet,

Telegraphic advices from Marseilles, dated the
13th instant, state that the "rise in the price of
wheat continued at that port on an average of
H. 50c. per hectolitre. - -The-pried of African wheat
was 46f. per 160 litres, or 29f.,50c. per hectolitre, and
Richelieu Wheat was in demand at 32f. 50c. At
Paris there was considerable demand yesterday for
the-four mark. qualities of flour, and sales-realised
91f. 500. per 157 kilos. for the current month, 92
for 3 months, 92f. 50c. for May and June, and 93
for June and July. During the clay the factors
declared to 4,500 sales of flour to be delivered
within 30 days at 80 to 81f., and 5,999 sacks at the
average price of 86f. 560. per 157 killogrammes.
Wheat was firm with an upward tendency. The
German markets do not participate in the improve-
ment of the French. At Hamburg theie was
scarcely any business transacted in wheat, and the
prices were almost nominal at the folloifing quota-
tions :—Wheat 28f. per hectolitre for delivery,
ditto Holstein and Schleswig 28f, to 25e. to 29f. 75c.
In rye a brisk trade was doing, and sales of about
8,000 hectolitres realised 19f. 75c. to 211. 15c., ditto
Danish 17f. 65c. ; Stettin 18f. 35c. ; St. Petersburg
121. 50c. to 12f. 75c. Barley was .in demand, at
the rate of 13f. 78e. to 14f...50e• per hecto. At
Dantzic the prices of wheat were also' nominal,
and rye:not much in request at 22f. the hecto, of
689 kilos. to 22f. 75e.

By telegraph from Berlin it is announced by a
decree that the . state paper currency will be
reduced to fifteen millions of thalers, and that
sixteen and a half millions thalers of obligations,
bearing interest, will be issued. In the Berlin
Gazette there is a notice by authority contradicting
the rumour that a convention had been concluded
at St. Petersburgh with M. Pereiri, for the estab-
lishment of a Credit Mobilier society in; that
capital. A despatch Worn Jassy, in Moldavia, has
been received by the president of the bank, known
as the Dessau Credit Bank, stating that a treaty
would shortly be signed by the Moldavian govern-
ment, with sonic, capitslists, for the purpose of
founding a banking system in the Principalities.

The annual meeting of the Provincial Bank of
Ireland was held this day. The report was of a
favourable character in respect. to the commerce
and trade oflreland ; and the profits of the bank
were stated to have been larger for the past year
than at any previous time, namely, 99,370/. 16s. Bd.
The rest was 106,787/. 12s. 4d., from which a divi-
dend of 4 per cent for the half year, and.a bonus of
1/. per 1001. share, and -Bs. per 10/.was recommended •
Two new branches have been opened in Tipperary
with good prospects of business. After a short
discussion, the report was adopted.
Although restrained by the high value of money,
the funds. continue to exhibit great firmness.
During part•of the day a decline of IF per cent was
quoted, but at the close the full advance of yester-
day was maintained, prices closing at 931 931. In
the evening some pressure for money was obser-
vable, to make the deposit on the new loan, and
throughout the day the general demand was good,
but, on the whole, the disturbance occasioned by
this financial operation seems less considerable
than had been apprehended. In the Stock
Exchange this afternoon short loans were obtainable
on Government Stock at 5 per cent. Until the
release of the surplus deposits next 'week, how-
ever, the market
,will -necessarily be exceptionally
affected. At Paris,-to-day, Three-per-Cent. Rentes
closed at much the same as yesterday. A portion
of the 257,000/. in gold, by the Statesman and
in Chief; was to-day -sent into the bank.
the demand for money,nnd settling day in
artment, the tendency of prices was favoura-
ble, although no general advance was established.
The subjoined are the closing quotations of Rail-
way Shares :7—Caledonian, 60 60. Eastern Coun-
ties, 10 1-16 10 3-16. East Lancashire, 76 77. Great
9.5 i 06..D0.A, 791
..Great.Western,
611 62. Lancashire and Yorkshire, 90f,
London and North' Western, 1011 1018. Manehes-
ter,

Despit

Northern,

Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 291 1. Midland
Stock, 76a 76a. North British, 35k. South
Eastern and Dover, 711 721'. York, Newcastle, and
Ber Wick, 78g 79k. York and Noh•Midlarad, 56g.

THE DIORAMA OF TtIE OVERLAND ROUTE
TO INDIA.

The relations between this country and India are of the•
most important description, and, therefore, everything con-
nected with the latter becomes interesting to us. Not the
least attractive is the route now followed, which places
England and our Indian possesstons so comparatively near
to each other. We all knos' the facility with which we can
communicate with that wonderful and distant region, but
we are little cognizant of the appliances which almost anni-
hilate time and space, and which brings ns to C dentta in
twenty-seven or thirty days, a journey that, but a few years
ago, cost frequently eight or ten months to accomplish. The
mail, or what is known as the overland route to India, is,
perhaps, one of the most interesting in the world, not only
for its shortne,s, but for the ancient and famously
historical places through which it lies. This, •in
great measure the bulk of the European population
are ignorant of—that is, they are not aware that the
high road from Southampton to India, passes through the
most renowned places mentioned in sacred and lay history.
The knowledge of this line need no longer be confined to
the actual traveller, nor the great companies whose astound-
ing enterprise has opened it up, for by spending a couple
of hours at the Teutonic H dl, Lime Street, one can make
an ideal voyage from Southampton to Calcutta, and on the
way enjoy the most exquisite scenery in the world, and also
pass through the most dreary region on the face of the globe.
We have seen many dioramas of exquisite execution, but
we do not think that, far artistic skill, science, beauty, and
fidelity to the places represented, any have been n.e)re
thoroughly attended to in all these respects, than in the
p oaorama now under consideration. We are the better able
to state' this,. because we happen to know some of the
Ice Nies ourselves, and in those that we are not personally
acquainted with, we recognise, from persons perfectly con-
versant with them. let us pass rapidly from Southampton
to Gibraltar, by Algeirs, Malta, all of world-wide fame,
and arrive at Alexandria. and then proceed to Cairo. We
may halt here, before entering the desert, which ia, although
desolate enough, full of poetry and romance. After passing
several places, the recollection of which must cause
the utmost anxiety, we come to a spot where the

most stupendous of marches was performed—the passage
of the Israelites across the Red Sea. Again, let us arrive
at that place which physically calls up all our most san-
guine imagination in reference to the garden in Paradise—
the island of Ceylon ; and here we have all that can charm
the eve_ delight the senses—in fact, a picture of all that can
:ovely. The crowning effect of all is the repre-
_Mallon of the mauseleum at Agra over the tomb of the
favourite wife of the Emperor Shah ,Tchan, the Great Mop',
which was erected in 1642, at the almost fabulous cost of
upwards of three millions sterling ! We could dwell with
satisfaction on the whole exhibition at
,greater .length, but
space will not admit it. However, there can be no doubt
that an inspection of this classical exhibition will more than
amply reward the visitor.

be cilled 1

St MAY 18, isso

FRANCE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING,

Yesterday I expressed doubts of the assertion
of the London Times—of the French Emperor
having sent, by General Ney, an autograph letter to
the Emperor Alexander, giving explanations about
the treaty' of the 15th April, between Austria,
France and England. To-day I am informed,
positively, and on excellent authority, that his
Majesty has written; no 'such letter. The sole
epistle he has written to the Czar contains a
simple reply to the Czar's announcement of his
accession to the throne, and it is that reply which
General Ney has carried out. lam informed that
the letter which the Queen of England has sent,
or is to send, to the Czar, by General Gray, will,
in all probability, contain nothing more.
The legitimist and church papers are in towering
indignation against Lord Palmerston, for having
said that the Republican government at Rome
protected life and property, and fairly administered
the laws ; they are also indignant at Count Cavour
for his speeches and memorandum against the
Papal government. They express the opinion
which almost everybody in this city entertains.
that the extraordinary exhortations which have
lately been addressed to the Italians cannot fail
to have the most serious consequences.
Although Austria enjoys a most intimate alli-
ance with France, she is seeking one with Prussia
also, in the hope, it is whispered, of inducing that
Power to bind itself by treaty to assist in defend-
ing her Italian possessions; and as a return for
this, she offers Prussia to assist her territories, if
attacked. But Prussia, it i

td, isr

posed to enter into any stn
the only power which could think of attacking
Prussia is France. People here are of opinion

that it is, to say the least-, excessively strange on
the part of Austria to contemplate and provide for
the possibility of g 07,,,; to war with France at the
very_moment she I,,,asts of having a cordial and
intimate alliance with her.

Baron Brunow, the Russian diplomatist, who
was lately in London, is now, I am told, in this city.
He is to be appointed Russian ambassador at
Berlin, Baron Dudbery, who at present holds
that post, is, I hear, to go to Vienna. M Boutenieff
is to become Russian ambassador at Constan-
tinople.
The Austrian archduke, who is expected to-
morrow, is to go to St. Cloud. The Emperor and
Empress have to-day gone there for the season.
One of the semi-official journals, this morning,
extracts from the forthcoming volume of the
" History of the Expedition to the Crimea," which
Baron de Bagancourt has been charged by the
Government to write, the plan of campaign which
the Emperor had resolved to adopt, in the event of
his goinr, out to the Crimea, as he at one time
intended.' I send you this document, though its
technical and retrospective character will, perhaps,
give it but little interest in your eyes.
There is again a talk of the Government intend
ing to confer special titles of nobility on some of its
partisans. In France, you are
_aware, titles go for
nothing :—many people who legally possess them
not bearing them, and a vast number who have no
right to any still calling themselves Counts and
Barons. Connected with this subject, it is worthy
of remark, that M. Billault, Minister of the Inte-
rior, has had to issue a special order forbidding
his subordinates to call him " Monsiegneur" (my
Lcrd)
An Athens letter of the 30th ult., says that
brigandage has greatly increased in Greece, and
that the English government is so unpopular
there, that Lord Palmerston has been burned in
effigy at Athens.
A Marseilles despatch announces the arrival of
the Indus, with news from Constantinople to the
sth, with a confirmation of the massacre, or rather
burning to death of the English Consul,at Marost,
and his family. The same despatch announces the
continual arrival of French troops, and a further
increase in the price of corn.

THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS' AND THE

BILLETING SYSTENI

Yesterday afternoon, a meeting of the Licensed Vic-
tuallers' of this town was held at the Common Hall,
Hackle's-hey, for the purpose of adopting a petition to
Parliament. against the present unjust system of billeting
soldiers. The meeting was not so numerously attended
as might have been anticipated, but still there was a good
representation of the trade present. Mr. G. W. Hunter,
the chairman of the association, presided.
After some considerable delay, the Chairman said that
he had no doubt but that all present were aware of the
object of holding that meeting, which was to afford them
an opportunity of petitioning parliament to relieve the
licensed victuallers and beersellers from the unjust tax to
which they had been subjected to for so many years—that
of having soldiers billeted upon them. He was also sure
that all present had felt the oppression of the tax. As
there were many present who could much better explain
the subject, he would merely express a hope that the
trade would, on this occasion, study their own interest

and assent to the adoption of the peti
titularly essential at the present time

This wa

~rinton

was abOut to introduce asbill into the H

i3ommons

which would be the means of ge

ing th

such an unjust tax.
Mr. M•Kenzie then came forward to

resolution, which was to the following eff.ict : —"That
this being the selected port of embarkation nal debarka-
tion for troops passing to and frora Ireland,. Scotland, and
elsewhere, the licensed victuallers and beersellers of
Liverpool have just ground of complaint that they are
compelled to find accomoplatiou for all such troops

ithout, compensation, and that frequently at a very un-
hour in the night; and they do hereby resolve to
petition parliament for such an alteration in the law as
will remedy the evil they complain of." Ile said
he thought the trade had a just right to complain of the
billeting system, and was fully justified in the attempt to
getting it removed, and to have the Scotch system intro-
duced, by which every householder was liable. In that
opinion he was backed by many persons high in autho-
rity. He did not so much complain of the soldier on active
service being billited upon them, as he did of recruiting
officers and recruits. It was those parties who were the
great inconvenience to the trade. During the last year
there had been upwards of 100,000 soldiers passing
through the town, and there had :been 1,500 nightly
lodgings required. For each man the publican was en-
titled to one halfpenny ; but he did not believe that all
the trade put together had ever received £5. That, he
argued. was liberality on the part of the publicans. He
contended that the government should be called upon to
provide for the accommodation of such parties. To enu-
merate the inconveniances and annoyances publicans were
subject to, by having such men, some of whom were dirty
and disorderly in their house, and likewise to show the
expense of such a system as the present, and it was
enough to say that the first lesson taught on Shaw's-brow
was—" There is a billet, get money if you can"—which
placed the publican in a very unpleasant position. He
concluded by calling upon the meeting to use their exer-
tions in getting government to relieve them from such an
unjust taxation, and such an annoyance.
Mr. Morgan briefly seconded the motion, cordially
agreeing in its spirit.
The resolution was adopted by the meeting.
Mr. John Atkinson then proposed the next resolution :
" That the present system of billeting recruiting officers
and recruits, upon licensed victuallers and beersellers, is
not only partial but oppressive, unjust, and inconsistent,
with the spirit and intention of the Mutiny Act, whilst it
is not sanctioned by any public requirement, and it is the
opinion of this meeting that it is the duty of government
to provide accommodation for all soldiers not actually on
the march." He expressed the pleasure he felt at seeing
the beersellers united with the licensed victuallers
on the present important occasion, and hoped that they
would raise such a voice as would stir up the
whole country until the government were compelled to
take notice of the justness of their request. He thou at
great length proceeded to comment on the several clauses
in the Mutiny Act, and also upon the resolution, and
concluded by observing that he could see no reason why
the government should not provide some proper accommo-
dation for the soldier while passing through Liverpool,
instead of having them billetted on a certain class. In
making the request he thought they were only. asking
that which was fair and reasonable; and he dtd hope
that the government would grant it.
Mr. G. Huwe, in seconding the adoption of the resolu-
tion, said he did not see why the publicans should have
soldiers billetted upon them more than any other class of
the community—more than brewers or spirit.:dealers,
some of whom had premises sufficiently capacious to hold
them all. As the Queen had recently been prayed to
grant an amnesty to all political offenders, he hoped the
government would grant the trade an amnesty, and for ever
rid them of the soldiers' billets. He concluded by recom-
mending, as a general election is near. at hand, that the
trade should only support that candidate who pledged
himself to support the progress of their petition.
In answer to a question put
by
Irrs.uWediln:3eSiLtland was
It was stated that the system p
for the housekeepers to pay a rate of one halfpenny in
the pound on their assessments ; the money was then given
to the soldiers by the proper officers, and nothing more
was heard of him.
Mr. Sidney, by the consent. of
.the meeting, then offered
a few observations on the unitbttee of the present system
to the licensed victuallers. He could not see why the
corporation could not afford a place of acceminodationior
the soldiers, instead of spending the money of the people

as they did. He thought it would be much better spent
money than that of erecting St. George's Hall,
.Mr. Carter, the Secretary, then proposed for the adop-
tion of the meeting, the following