Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-01-01 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES.

A HIPPY NEW YEAR" IN COPE'S CIGAR

MANUFACTORY.

One of the brightest and pleasantest celebrations we
have seen for many a Christmas and holiday season,
welcomed in the New Year among the numerous
employees of the Messrs. Cope's 'cigar manufactory, Lord
Nelson-street, last night. It has been the custom of the
Messrs. Cope to inaugurate each new year for some time
back with an entertainment —modestly called " Cope's
Christmas Dance " —to all those engaged in their immense
establishment, Last night the festivities were on the
largest scale, and were, we believe, the most successfully
arranged which the factory has seen since its foundation.
Those who are only accustomed to view the establishment
in its time of business, would scarcely have known it
had they seen it in its "softer hours" last night. As
in the Christmas pantomime, Harlequin strikes with his
wand the walls of a long row of tailors' shops and
butcher's stalls, and in a moment all such unsightly ob-
jects vanish, and are succeeded by a pleasant front garden
and a neat " semi-detached " suburban villa—so did the
skilful arrrangements of many dexterous hands transform
in little more time, a range of crammed storerooms and
crowded factory branches, into spacious and bright danc-
ing halls, and richly decorated refreshment saloons. The
work-room was used as the ball-room, and was beautifully
adorned with mirrors, banners, flower wreaths, and ever-
greens, among which the Christmas mistletoe held its
time-hallowed place. This portion of the arrangements
was carried on under the superintendence of Mr. Cooper,
of Compton House, whose well-known taste and skill
found effective expression iu -thus converting a factory
workroom into one of the brightest and gayest of dancing
halls. The packing-room below stairs—a room of 'vast
proportions —was converted into a refreshment saloon,
and was decorated as beautifully and appropriately as
that which we have already described. • Here Mr. Oakes,
of Lord-street, by whom the refreshments were supplied,
made extensive arrangements for satisfying the wants of the
dancers he well knew he should have to stimulate
and revive. Judging from the constant demand which
seemed to prevail in this part of the establishment, and
feeling no doubt that the supply was equal to it in accor-
dance with the politico-economic rule, we may pronounce
the refreshment department a far more successful under-
taking than it has been found in several great public
institutions we know of. To facilitate the arrangements
for the preparation of tea and coffee, an ingenious con-
trivance was adopted for connecting steam pipes with the
kettles, so that by turning on jets of steam a supply of hot
water was instantaneously produced. The galleries which
surrounded what may, for the especial occasion, be termed
the " ball room," were fitted up with a long array of card
tables, and here many a quiet rubber of whist was played
by those who felt inclined, from sheer fatigue, to retire
awhile from the exertions of the dance during portions of
the night. Some, too, found rest and refreshment here
in the fumes of the pensive cigar. The aroma did not
intrude itself much upon the dancers, and it may, moreover,
be very easily imagined that few of those present could
plead any objection arising from unaccustomed sensations
to the smell of tobacco. A cloak-room was fitted up at
either side on entering the building, where hats, coats,
&c., were. taken and regularly numbered and ticketed;
and a solemn policeman, stationed at the outer door,
secured easy ingress to all invited guests.
Besides the employees of the establishment, numbering
about 400, several of the • Messrs. Cope's private friends
were among the company, and seemed delighted with the
arrangements made to secure an evening of enjoyment.
The entrance among the guests of Mr. Robert Cope, the
founder of the establishment, who had travelled from the
banks of the Wye to be present, was greeted with three
enthusiastic peals of welcoming applause.
Dancing commenced punctually at nine o'clock.
In the orchestra was stationed Mr. Martin's excellent
band, and Mr. Martin, one of the most accomplished
and inspiriting of leaders, exerted his utmost skill to keep
the spirit of the dance unfading and unflagging.
Quadrilles, Polkas, Schottisches, Lancers, Gatops,
&c., &c., made up the programme of the ball; and
a ball sustained with more genuine enjoy-
ment, and more unwearying spirit, no eyes ever looked
upon. The young cigar-makers danced as neatly and as
skilfully as their dexterous fingers perform their daily
manufacturing operations ; and there were as many
bright pretty faces to be seen, as beamed under any
Christmas mistletoe last night throughout the kingdom.
The musical arrangements deserve especial notice,
for they included many new and beautiful compositions
produced by their authors to give additional life
and enjoyment and character to the evening. The
" Crusaders' Grand March," by Herr Feller, was one of
the pieces composed expressly. for the occasion, and was
an inspiritinc, and brilliant air, which would have given
animation and vivacity to the slowest of dancers, and
which lent new fire and vigour even to Mr. Cope's lively
and untiring company. The " Escape Galope," by the
same composer, was also produced in public for the
first time last night, and composed for that particular
occasion. The " Fairy Trip Waltz" and the " Cigar
Girls' Polka," also by Herr Feller, and contri-
buted for the same object, were equally beautiful and
animating with those already mentioned, and will, we
feel certain, if the composer gives them to the public,
obtain a wide and lasting popularity. Many other pieces
of music, beautiful in themselves, and appropriate to the,
purport of the gathering, were composed and contri-
buted by their authors for last night's festivity.
The entertainment, however, was not all absorbed in
dancing. I.voral songs were sung, and among the rest
some which had been specially °ailed into existence to do
honour to the occasion. Among these was one by Mr. F.
M'Cabe, " Many a time," which was sung with an
orchestral accompaniment arranged by Mr. E. W.
Thomas. The singer was Mr. Campbell, a visitor,
• who gave the ballad with pleasing expression and rich
voice, and was accompanied in the refrain by about 100
voices of the girls present. The air is a tripping, viva-
cious, and pretty composition, and the refrain swelled by
so many female voices echoed exquisitely through the
rooms. A rapturous demand for an encore followed. This
song, it may be mentioned; was composed under some-
what peculiar circumstances. When the Earl of Shaftes-
bury was in Liverpool, during the sitting of the Social
Science Conference, his lordship visited Messrs. Cope's
establishment and took a warm interest in the arrange-
ments made for the care and comfort of the female workers
there. He was particularly pleased with the manner in
which a large number of girls sang in chorus, and-on
going away promised to pay them another visit on condi-
tion that they would learn a new song for the occasion.
The ballad " Many a Time," was composed by Mr.
McCabe accordingly, and served last evening to increase,
in no slight degree, the happiness and the interest of
the evening's entertainment. Mr. McCabe's 501 i...,
" Hope for the Best" was also beautifully sung by Mr.
Campbell ; the composer accompanying it upon the
piano. Several gentlemen visitors sang some charming
pieces, and gave them in a manner which drew from the
audience the most spontaneous and cordial acclamations.
There were many other features in the musical arrange-
ments which deserve equal notice, if want of space and
time did not absolutely force upon us the necessity of
" drawing the line somewhere."
One incident must not, however, be excluded from
notice. During the evening a presentation took place, on
the 'part of the employees, to one of their own body, Miss
Ellen Warbrick, for her long and gratuitous services in
the care of the library. The testimonial consisted of a
handsome workbox purchased by the subscriptions of the
inmates of the establishment, and it was presented by the
youngest member of the male sex employed in the
colice7rn. The young gentleman, mounted upon
commanding rostrum, performed his task with a coolness
and composure worthy of far more experienced, and
pdssibly less sincere ' leaders in such complimentary
ceremonies. This portion of the evening's proceedings
was certainly one of the most interesting features, anu
one of those which reflected the greatest credit upon the
conduct of the establishment, and the feelings of those
who labour in it towards each other.
We shall not venture to say when the festivities con-
cluded. Had we remained for the conclusion, it is very
likely this description would not, be seen in our paper
this day. When we left, the girls were as energetically
engaged in the dance as if they were absolutely resolved
to carry out the resolution " not to go home until
morning." Lest, however, any of our readers should be
inclined to think the enjoyment of the night marred by
the prospect of a struggle with sleep at some early
business hour in the morning, we may mentiou that those
who took part in the ball are not expected to attend to
business this day. A special staff of hands will restore
the establishment to its wonted appearance of business,
order, and regularity. The dancers at the ball will
therefore have this day and to-morrow to rest. On Mon-
day they will return to business with, we doubt not,
renewed and freshened vigour, to enter upon another
season of labour. The ball of last night will probably
form a topic of conversation during many a long hour of
be hu m
in the monotonous work : and the songs which were sung will
hummed over,
,anodf
mthre.irmcarcapboes,esrsreftrhaiand,,
many
andn
praised,
and many a time.,,
.We may mention, in conclusion, that the tickets and
programmes which were issued for the ball, and which
were beautiful specimens of ornamental lithography, were
printed upon the Messrs. Cope's own premises.

Sir,—l am directed by the Council to request
the favour of your inserting the following resolu-
tion, passed at their meeting to-day-,'viz. :
" That, although this Council has, through its
delegates, taken part, with other commercial
associations, in the unanimous recommendation of
a list of suitable candidates for election to the
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, and now, as a
council, gives its sanction to, and influence in favour
of, the associated list, yet this Council never in-
tended, nor can attempt, to dictate to members
either of this Council or of the Chamber as to the
course they may individually think fit to take in
relation to the exercise of their right, • whether as
nominees or electors."-1 am, sir, your obedient
servant, ROBERT TRONSON, Secretary.

The following letter has been addressed by the
Chamber of Commerce to Mr. Tanton, in reply to
his communication which appeared in our columns
of yesterday :
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Dec. 31,1838.
Sir,—l have laid your letter of yesterday, on
the subject of the elections of the Dock Board,
before the Council of the Chamber, and I am
directed to assure you, that you have much mis-
conceived the purport of the list and circular to
which you refer.
I am also to say that the name of the Chamber
of Commerce appears upon that list, in strict con-
formity with an arrangement already explained in
a printed report, a copy of which was sent on the
15th Nov. last, to every member of the Chamber.
Under this arrangement all the Mercantile Asso-
ciations of the town sent delegates, duly empowered,
to a common meeting,—the chairman of which
was not even a member of the Chamber. At this

meeting each association was equally represented.
The purpose was not to interfere in any way with
the freedom of election. The list agreed to by the
meeting of delegates is simply " recommended"
to the consideration of the electors, and every
elector is, of course, not only perfectly free, what-
ever may be the recommendation he receives from
any associated body, but, is, as the Council con-
- eeive, bound to vote for those he deems the best
men.

The Council never have suffered, nor ever will
suffer, the Chamber to be made "an engine for
election purposes ;" blit the Council cannot deem
it consistent with its duty—that of promoting, as
far as it can, the mercantile interests of the port
—to take no part whatever in investigating and
expressing an opinion upon the claims of candi-
dates for the Dock trust. To move at all is of
course to move in some definite direction, and to
encounter the risk of differing in opinion with
some of the ratepayers.
The proceedings of .the delagates were made
public on the "23rd instant, and if the part taken
by the Chamber had seemed, to any considerable
number of its members, to call for revision, there
Was ample time for such an expression of that
Opinion as would have justified the Council in
taking the sense of their constituents at large.
I am to add that, though the Council cannot hl.
courtesey decline to answer a communication so
publicly addressed to them as yours has been,
they must not be understood to admit that " the
committee of the ratepayers," on whose behalf
you write, really represents any considerable
section of that body.--I am, sir, your obedient
servant, ROBERT MONSON, Secy.

THE NORThERN TIMES; SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1859

ANNUAL

TRADE CIRCULARS.

SHIPPING.
During.the past year an almost unprecedented amount
of depression has characterised the market for the sale of
ships. We trace this to various causes, one of which—
the effects of the panic of 1857—necessitating many of
the sales recorded during the year, and thus forcing on
the market, from time to time, an excessive amount of
tonnage. A large number of vessels have been employed
as transports for the conveyance of troops and stores to
India ; but, from the continuance of the war, and the
unsettled state of that country, homeward freights have
ruled so extremely low, that some shipowners have
preferred laying up their ships at home, than run
the risk of their being detained abroad for
want of employment. Early in the year Messrs. A.
Gibbs and Sons ceased chartering vessels for guano from
the Chincha Islands, and as, for some years previous, em-
ployment was thus given to upwards of 120,000 tons of
shipping annually, the want of these charters, during the
greater part of the pear, were seriously felt by many, but
especially by the owners of colonial shipping. On the
other hand, we find that the outward freights to nearly all
parts of the world, are extremely high, as much as £4
per register ton, being given for good classed ships for
Australia, and £3 for Bombay. Homewards—Guano
charters have recently been offering at £2 lOs per ton to
U.K. or continent, and we notice during the last
few weeks that vessels are changing hands
more freely, and at rather better pricei. Compared with
the aggregate tonnage and number of vessels building in
the Colonies there are less than half the number reported
last year, and as, by a recent regulation of Lloyds, the
class of new vessels is in future to commence on the Ist
July after launching, instead of as previously on the Ist
January following, builders are likely to keep their
vessels on the stocks till the latter half of the year, so
that we do not till then expect any amount of new
tonnage in our market. Taking into consideration,
also, that the number of vessels lost during the
winter has exceeded the average of previous
years, and that these, in many instances, have to be
replaced by others, we may reasonably expect a further
advance in prices. The number of sailing vessels sold
at this port during the present year was 239, of which
55 were British built, amounting to 15,112 tons, and 184
were foreign and colonial built, amounting to 88,988 tons.
CUNAItD, WILSON'AND CO.
We regret having to record another year of diminished
sales of shipping in our port, as compared with the pre-
vious one, equal to about 18 per cent. The character of
the business from January to December, has been of that
fitful, yet improving kind, that follows recovering health
after prostration produced by severe fever and excitement.
What has been done is permanent and solid, mostly aris-
ing from neceaiity. There has, of course, been some
speculation, which is always the case when prices are so
low as they have been, but the speculators are in good
position, and able to hold such purchases at will. In the
early part of the year, there was much enquiry, and many
ships changed hands at low rates, nevertheless, there was
the constant fear upon the minds of purchasers, that large
numbers of the Borough Bank's, and other mortgaged
ships, would have been forced en masse on the market,
This has not been so, on the contrary, much of the ton-
nage so circumstanced, has been managed with a firm,
prudent hand, and, we believe, the most made of it that
was possible. The caution thus used has tended to im-
prove prices, and saved, us from any long depression from
a surfeit of second-class ships being thrust upon us. Of
those held by the Bank, 34 have been sold since its
suspension, while there are only thirteen now here or in
other ports of the United kingdom, with four or five
still to arrive, remaining to be disposed of. Up to the
middle of April, there was a tolerably steady and slightly
improved trade, when from some unexplained cause a
re-action took place, and exceeding dulness followed,
during which some good seven-year-class Colonial ships
sold as low as £5 per ton. From this condition we
rallied towards the end of May. This improvement con-
tinued, but a short time, and in June, there was almost
a cessation of important business. Towards the close of
July, matters again improved and have continued to do
so, though very slowly, and with some unaccountable
calms, until the present time. The last month has been
the most steady of the year. The discontinuance of
Guano charters from the Chinchas is being severely felt,
especially by the fleet that has gone to the East in the
War service. The enormous amount of tonnage that has
accumulated in the Indian and China ports (about
500,000 tons), has reduced freights from thence to a
nominal rate. So low as ss. per ton has been accepted
for steamers from Bombay. The expectations from the
Kooria Mooria Islands have not been realised, and but
little benefit has arisen to us from that quarter. The
solution of the present unsatisfactory state of things with
the shipping interest, may be found in the general con-
traction of trade that has taken place since the late panic,
combined with the fact that we have more ships than
there is trade to employ them, since we have permitted
the vessels of other nations to do our work without
receiving any corresponding advantage from those so
much favoured. The shipowners throughout the land
complain loudly of this injustice, and while they do not
seek to disturb the order of things as established
under the liberal and progressive policy of our late and
present rulers, they do seek to have the provisions stipu-
lated for in the act 15 and 16 Vict—cap 47, to secure
theM from the selfish and illiberal policy of those nations
so generally dealt with acted upon, and a proper quid pro
quo secured. The fact of this provision having been
made in the Act, proves that such a result if not con-
sidered probable, was at least considered possible. Why
not, having had nine years experience of its working,
and having discovered its weak point, proceed at once,
under the powers provided, to strengthen and com-
plete it, and at the same time, do justice to one of the
most important, and certainly the most enterprising,
commercial interest in the kingdom. Was the provision
made, and so prominently paraded in framing the bill for
retaining power by " an order in council" to suspend the
operation of the law in favour of those nations refusing
to follow our example, a mere political stratagem
* We have been told that having worked on for

nine years without making any protest, we canno'
now hope to have a state of things that has
become settled within this time, altered - in other words,
the pledge to secure us an honourable reciprocity cannot
now be regarded as binding—it has " outrun the statute
of limitation," and the shipowners have become the
victims of what, in the common transactions of life,
would be considered mean dishonesty. It seems it was
necessary to offer some sacrifice to appease the spirit of
progress, and the shipping interest has been the chosen
hecatomb. Had the present agitation been started at an
earlier date, the probable reply would have been, " You
have not given the thing a fair trial, and are not yet in a
position to object." At the time this act was under the
consideration of the country, we took some pains to warn
you of the interpretation sure to be given by America as
to her "coasting trade." America consents to open her
ports to us—we doing to her likewise, she retaining_
only her " coasting trade." The bargain is
struck. The greatest portion of America's trade
proves to be " coasting," consequently we have given
all and gotten nothing. America sends her ships froin
any port on the Atlantic to any of her ports on the
Pacific, passing a dozen or more independent nations in
her course, including the whole of South America, and
this is a " coasting voyage." * * * * *
In considering the future prospects of shipping, the very
decreased number we are likely to have at hand must ho
regarded. With a much lessened production both in the
United Kingdom and in the Colonies, must be taken into
account the losses of the year, which are likely to prove
something enormous, we fear considerably over those of
1847, which amounted to 1,143 vessels of all sizes. The
statistics for the past yoar are not yet completed, but
from the first six months return, the number lost is likely
to prove equal to four ships per day. Outward freights
have considerably improved during the last two mouths,
and if our Indian fleet does not come home too thick
upon us, we may calculate upon some months of good
outward employment. Any indication of improvement in
charters is quickly responded to by parties willing to
invest. Ship building in the Colonies this year has been
(as we advised in our last must be expected) on a very
limited scale ; nor do we think much more will be done
through the year now entered upon. The number of
ships -which have changed hands this year is 482 (221,419
tons) against 586 (258,869 tons) in 1857, showing a
decrease of 104 ships, or 37,450 tons, being a de-
cline of 18 per cent. in the number of ships,
and 141 per cent. •in the number of tons this year
against last. Of the above 51 are new British, 21,702
tons; 99 new colonial, 47,966 ; 15 foreign, 8,346. - The
number of ships sold to foreigners is 19 .- 7,482 tons.
The number of steamers sold is 39, of which 27 are
screws, and 12 paddle, equal to 15,097 tons. British
ships must be quoted fully ten per cent. lower at the
close than they were at the commencement of the year.
One or two most injudicious sales, made, at altogether
unnecessary low prices, completely paralysed the buyers
of good British ships for several months past. The
following prices rule just now : —For London, Liver-
pool, and Cumberland ships, of 13 years class, coppered,
Baltic outfit, £l6 to £lB per ton ; ditto East
Coast and other country-built, £l3 to X
per ton.lron
Twelve, ten, and nine years' class in proportion.twelve ears'
ships : London, Liverpool, or Clyde, foro
class, £l6 to £l7 lOs ; nine and six years'ya sclass, £l4
class, iny pro-
portion. East Coast, &c., for w
los., to 16 ; inferior classes in proportion.t New Colonial

, ships : Quebec, St. John, and Richibucto, classed A for
7 years, £7 to £8 ; spruce, do. A 4 years, £4 10s. to
£5 15s. Prince Edward Island, classed A 7 years, £6 to
£7 • spruce do. A 4 years,. £4 ss. to £5 10s. Second-
hand Colonial ships are in improving demand. Several
have changed hands this month at better prices. Of
seeond-hand British shiiss we have had but a small
number in the market, with considerable inquiry. Some
large steamers, chiefly screws, have changed hands at low
prices. The stock offering for sale is large, and the
buyers are few. Our present stock of vessels on sale may
be classed as follows : - Colonial : 20 ships varying from
1,000 to 2,000 tons; 17 ships varying from 700 to 1,000
tons ; 25 ships varying from 400 to 700 tons ; 27 ships
varying from 200 to 400 ; 7 ships varying from 80 to 200
tons. Foreign: 3 ships varying from 500 to 1,500 tons.
British : 14 ships varying from 300 to 1,500 tons ; 5 ships
varying from 150 to 300 tons; 4 ships under 150 tons—
total, 122 ships, showing a decrease of 39 ships on hand
against 161 last year ; 12 steamers, screw and paddle,
showing a decrease of 4 against 16 last year. By a new
rule issued in the early part of the year, Lloyd's Com-
mittee require that all vessels built in the Colonies must
be iron kneed, strapped and classed in the hull while on
the stocks, or they lose one year of their time.
CURRY, KELLOCK & CO,
After the commercial convulsion of 1857, the spring of
1858, then the summer, and afterwards the autumn, were
succsssively looked forward to as promising, with a
general recovery of business, a more active condition of
the shipping interest ; yet 1858 has finally passed away,
and left unrealised all such anticipations. In consequence,
therefore, of the almost unvarying dalness that has
ensaed, our monthly reports of steam ship property,
throughout last year, necessarily presented but little
change in their tone or expression, and much repetition
relative to the depreciated value and want of employment
as regarded that particular kind of property. The cessa-
tion of steam transport service to the East has affected,
in an especial manner, the largest class of screw steam
ships, for any of which, remunerative engagements- are
very difficult to obtain. For medium sized and for smaller
steamers, there is more employment in the coasting trade ;
and inquiries also occur for vessels of these classes, for short
foreign voyaoes. On the whole, however, the aspect of
affairs has become less discouraging with the close of
December. A greater disposition to purchase steamers
has been evinced, which, taken in connexion with recent
sales of screw steamers of good capacity, both for colonial
service and foreign account, may be said to give the
market a more hopeful appearance ; and, were it not
' that steam shipbuilders continue to be short of contracts,
with rather a large number of new steamers on hand, and
that many steam-ships oat of the fleets belonging to
companies under liquidation still remain unsold, the
prospects of steam-ship property at the commence-
ment of 1859 would be considerably more promising than
at the same period in 1858.
ALFRED BRETT AND CO's,
Steam-ship Office, 150, Leadenhall-street,
London, E.C.