Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-18 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET, &c.

The Bank account, published last night, indicates
that the late financial pressure has entirely ceased.
Yesterday the railway market was again inactive, but
fairly supported, the public continuing to invest mo-
derately in the more eligible stocks.
The prospectus has been issued of the Union Discount
Company, with a capital of £250,000. The object is to
furnish facilities to traders of the middle class.

The funds were steady. Consols advanced to 3-16
per cent. The more satisfactory appearance of the
money market may be classed amongst the considerations
immediately affecting prices. In other departments of
the Stock Exchange the tendency was likewise upwards.
The rates of discount in the open market are still de-
clining. The best bills may now be negotiated at 31
per cent., or below the Bank minimum. There were
no operations in gold at the Bank to-day.—Daily News.
The English funds opened steadily this morning, at
the firm prices of yesterday, and subsequently expe-
rienced a further improvement of k. Owing to
,a par-
tial rally on the Paris Bourse, the demand for discount,
to-day, has again been moderate, and in the open mar-
ket the best short paper has been taken at a fraction
below 4 per cent. In foreign exchanges, this afternoon,
there was no alteration of importance from the rates of
last post. The telegram from India and China, to-day,
ihtie raesatte s
Calcutta ot* exchange.
were Theal;o
wir)eifitchoerostusotfvnaGoroimarteoimovnem.leennntt
variation.—Tunes.
u. rt

The Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-Chief, has
signified his intention of presiding at the dinner of the
volunteer officers, to be given on the 7th March.
On the removal of the Indian Council, midsummer
next, the old India-house, in Leadenhall-street, will be
sold. It occupies slightly more than acre; and, accord-
ing to report, an offer of £200,000 has already been
made for it, it is said, as a terminus for all the principal
railways.

(Conthiuteri, rJat Third Page.)

them a chance of competing with her shipping. (Hear.)
But while this was the case, he would ask his brother
shipowners—while they could not have the whole
reciprocity which they desired, why refuse the advantages
offered to them by the treaty ? (Hear. hear.) It would
be the most foolish thing in the world to say because
they did not get all they asked, although they were
offered a fair trade under a treaty which was going to
• I,4a en this country and France, they
crease a
would not use the advantages offered to them ; •because
they did not get all they desired in other directions,
they would refuse the great boon which was offered to
then'. (Applause.) It- appeared to him that that as-
sociation should give an intelligent exnression of opinion
ah-a- —*h., than vo inter
• -
UP:T.. .aca as he
said before, it would be better to leave to other as-
sociations. (Hear, hear.) -It might be said that they
canld carry out their intentions without going into a
treaty at all with France, but that was no reason why
they shouldnot enter into a fair reciprocal bargain when
they had an opportunity of doing so. They knew that
free-traders had lost much by not doing this before.
When this country entered into free-trade with all the
world we enjoyed advantages with France which we had
c trelessly lost. Our trade in linen alone was once five
times as much as our trade with France in manufactured
articles now, machinery included. He thought we should
eadeavour to strike as fair a bargain with France as
posSible. (hear, hear.) He would not go into the
question of how much or how little we give up to France
or how much or how little we get oerseNee but he
would submit that the memorial, embodying as it did the
intelligent expressions of opinion upon the treaty which
they were met to consider, wound be the most intelligent
means of expressing the opinion of that chamber, without
expressing, in the first instance, any opinions on simple
details. applause.).
Mr. CLIALLEi HOLLAND expressed his delight on
finding a shipowner expressing the opinions which had
been expressed by Mr. Chilton, with an ability which
he had never seen surpassed. (Hear, hear.) He agreed
entirely with what that gentleman had expressed with
regard to the doctrine of reciprocity. We had not been
met with that frankness by other nations which we had
expected, and no class had so much right to complain as
the _ shipowners ; but the speaker had shown them
the madness of that class, though suffer.
ing under its • own grievances, rejecting a pro-
posal such as that which was offered, merely
because they could not carry out free-trade in shipping.
(Hear„hear.) As regarded the other objections which
they had heard, and many of which he thought were
most important and worthy of consideration, the resolu-
tion fully provided for all the objections being made
before the committee of the House of Commons, and he
thhiight that all they could desire was to enter such
.a protest as would justify them in meeting the objec-
tions, more particularly, before the House of Commons.
He might add to-what Mr. Chilton had said, that just
in proportion as our trade with France increased, our
shipping would necessarily derive the benefit of a great
portion of the increase. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. lisaTs hoped they would not give such an
approval of the treaty as would in reality shut them
out from considering its details. He thought the treaty
was objectionable, viewed as a matter of free trade.
They were all agreed as to the benefits of free-trade,
and he, for one, should delight to see the duty taken off
French 'wines and of a great many other things, pro-
vided, at _the same time, a fair and proper system of
taxation could be established in this country ; but if
those duties were to be replaced by others of a more
objectionable kind, he, for one, should not agree to it.
(Hear, hear.) As to taking the duty off French wines,
and levying an additional income tax, he really thought
• there, could not be two opinions. Looking at the injus-
tice. of levying it equally on income derived from
personal industry, which might be put an end to to-
morrow, and upon fixed property which, speaking
humanly, lasted for ever ; looking also at the
injustice of levying it upon small incomes, • it
was really a great hardship—a greater hardship on
thousands of people, clubs, and others of that class than
even -upon respectable' artisans. He objected to the
treaty because it bound this country to particular mea-
sures, and he thought that allowing the export of coal
was taking the very life's blood from this country-, for
upon that he bad no hesitation in saying that eight-
tenths of the industry-of this country depended. (Hear.)
He was not so selfish as to wish to keep this invaluable
blessing to themselves, and if other nations 'would take
it and were willing to pay for it, he had no objed-
tiens—(hear, hear)—but he did not think it was politic
of this Country to do anything which could induce
them to go out of their way to take our coal for
they must bear in mind that although eye have a
.great
and abundant Supply,- that supply was. always diminish-
ing, and could not be manufactured. If it was depend-
ant on' the industry of England, it would no doubt he
found. BUt here was a providential storehouse, the
contents of which were daily cliniinishing, and could not
be- restored. •.If the day should come when coal can
only be obtained in this country at high prices, from
that day they might date the declension of England.
(Hear,. hear.) 'What had they got by the treaty ?
They had got nothing which as free-traders they
ought to ask for. It was 'to the interest of this
country to reduce the duties on French goods. Then
those 'duties ought to be reduced, independently of
the treaty, because by the treaty they saddled. themselves
with stipulations which lie thought would be prejudicial
to this country, and which lie thought had a political
bearing. He thought the treaty would be a shackle
upon us, and therefore that it was most injudicious to
enter into it. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Banarann HALL thought there was a good deal
in the budget which was valuable, and he had no doubt
but it would be made acceptable to the country ; but.
he thought there were some points in the treaty which
deSerVed attention. The French had the power to
demand our coal up to the- very moment of a decla-
ration of yearend we should have no power to say—
" You are prepared for • war, in our opinion, and we
will stop your supply of coa." He thought England
should retain the power to !stop the supply in certain
cases. •He objected to the income-tax. It never was,
and never would be, properly paid in this country. The
honest man paid for the dishonest man ; and, therefore,
the income-tax. never would be properly levied in this
country. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the gentlemen
would not come to a determination on the resolution
before they heard the next resolution, suggesting the
increase on the spirit duty, which would take 20. in
the pound off the income-tax if adopted.
Mr. WILLIAM Bitowea—l would like to say a few
words on this French Treaty, and upon the arguments
used in regard to .the exports of coal. The treaty, so
far as regards coals, will be of great advantage to France,
and yet it will be f considerable benefit to us, as it will
afford employment to our industrial artisans and miners.
We
.shall also derive a benefit from the increased erne
ployment of seamen • and it is well-known-that the
coasting trade is the hardiest school for raising our sea-
men, for the navy of the country. If then we have
more British ships and seamen employed in the con-
veyance of coals to France, although we may derive,
perhaps, some inconvenience 'on the one hand, yet we
shall have counterbalancing advantages, of infinitely
• greater importance, in the other direction. I fear, how-
ever, that the Emperor of the French will have great
difficulty in carrying out this treaty, for, Emperor though
he be, he is yet subject to the force of public opinion in
France, and there will be great opposition to this mea-
sure •from some of the protected -interests. I be-
lieve in my heart he is a honest free-trader,
and not only anxious to benefit his own country,
which is naturally the first consideration, but to
benefit others. No country will sacrifice their own
interests, and we will not sacrifice ours. In throw-
ing open our ports, as far as possible, to the ships of all
.other nations, we do it not for their interest but only
for our own ; and it will be still more for our interest
if we can extend owacommercial improvements further:
and, although this treaty does not go so far as we could
wish, yet we must not reject it on that account, for the
More our commercial connection with France can be

increased, the less likely will she be to desire to pick a
quarrel with us. It is human nature that the benefices
interests of commerce will bind us together, and there-
fore I look with hope to a peaceful future as regards the
relations of this country with France. Now, in respect
to coal, it is objected that we should not export that
article. France has coals in 42 provinces out of 83 ;
bUt it may be said it will be too expensive to get to it.
Depend upon it that if we ever go to war with France,
expense will never be a consideration with that nation ;
and if the Emperor cannot get coals from us, he can
get them from Belgium, aad in spite of
us he could get coals from pits in his own
dominions by laying down rails to the mines. I do not
however see that we should object to increase our com-
merce by allowing France to take our coals. They have
taken great quantities of machinery—it has not
diminished our trade with them that I am aware of—
and they will yet take more. There is not such a thing
as one-sided commerce. Every nation is paid for every-

thing directly or indirectly of what it exports ; and our
great object is to increase our inanufactures and employ
our industrial people. So far as the treaty goes, we snail
be perfectly satisfied to take it as it is, unless our House
of. Commons—our Government can get further conces-
sions from the French Government as to shipping. I
have no doubt that that will follow. With respect to
the tariff, which there is less difference of opinion about
than the French treaty, I have no objection to see a
slight increase to the income-tax, because I believe
the extension of commerce will very soon so increase the
revenue that the Chancellor o f the Exchequer will have it
within his power to reduce the income-tax, for I can see
no end to our prosperity if we keen at npao.
world, and 7,4.4"- - - -

_ with France and the Continent.
(near, hear.) I therefore hope that the treaty will be
approved, and that. you will unanimously support the
memorial to Parliament which has been so ably brought
before us by Mr. Robertson.
. Mr. MA CFIE, in answer to a previous speaker, asseve-
rated the correctness of his previous assertion, in refe-
rence to the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce at
Manchester.

: Mr. ROBERTSON waived his right of reply, and in
dOing so said there was. in fact, no argunient.to reply to.
The amendment was then put to the vote, and lost by
two to one... The declaration of the Chairman was
received with loud applause.
Mr. Busimm, said, perhaps you will allow me -to
Mention that there is a deputation appointed to meet
Mr. Gladstone at half-past eleven o'clock on Saturday
morning, and if the Chamber should determine that
any deputation is to go to London, they might join
the deputation of the wine and spirit trade. (Hear,
hear.) Those who were present at- the last meet-
in., of the Chamber will remember that I distinctly
sated that I had no feeling whatever of opposition to
the French treaty, or, on principle, to the financial state-
ment of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I went even
further, and expressed an opinion, which I. am now
extremely glad to find is confirmed by so eminent an
authority as my friend Mr. Brown, that, considered on
political grounds, we should be very chary how we
rejected the treaty. lam still of that opinion, and it is
because I desire that that treaty should go forward,
that I venture to move the adoption of a substantial
resolution, which, if we can enforce it on the House of
Commons, will do more to make the French treaty and
financial statement of
.Mr. Gladstone acceptable to the
country than any other thing. I brought before the
chamber, at its last meeting, a statement of the quantity
of British and Colonial spirits consumed in this country ;
but I will not go into them again. I will, however,
repeat to you, that, assumingthe consumption of British
and Colonial spirits to remain at the present average,
and that instead of reducing the duty on French brandy
from 15s. to Bs. 2d. you reduce it to 103., and equalise
the duty on British and Colonial
.spirits from Bs. 2d. to
10s. also, you will have a ,revenue of £2,700,000.
For this you have a precedent in the case of Australia
where the scale of duty on all kinds of spirits is 10s.
per gallon, and on wine 2s. per gallon. There may
possibly be .some objections to the proposal, but none of
them can assume a substantive character. The dis-
tilling interest might say they would be prejudiced
thereby, but I would mention that the exports of
British spirits were in 1854, 749,959 gallons ; in 1855,
4,263,697 ; in 1856, 4,956,150 ; in 1857, 5,190,538 ;
in 1858, 3,745,861 ; in 1859 (eleven mouths), 383,305:
Now, there was an immense business in spirits caused
by the vine disease, but, if the duty is reduced in France,
it will be about 6d. or Bd., per gallon, and France
will take enormous imports of that article from us. It
may be. said that the export from England for these four
' or five years was exceptional—was in consequence of the
vine disease ; but if the French have so willingly re-
ceived our spirits before, and if we are going to receive
large quantities of their wine, from which their brandy
is made—and not only of their wine but of their brandy
also—it will greatly diminish the consuming power of
the French for their own spirits, consequent upon our
increased' demand, and they will.therefore consume our
cheaper spirits. (Hear, hear.) Now, although the French
do not consume spirits as we do, to an intoxicating ex-
tent, yet the consumption enters into almost every meal
—at breakfast, at dinner and in their coffee, and in the
shape.of liqueurs or cordials ; so that, in some shape or
other, the consumption of spirits in France is very large
indeed in every class of the people.
A VOice—Among the richer classes.
Mr. BUSHELL continued—The consumption is enor-
mous. I shall now take the liberty of moving the fol-
lowing resolution :

That, in, the opinion of this Chamber, the spirit duties,
from whatever point of view considered, form a most desirable
and legitimate source of revenue. That the present moment,
when a large reduction in the wine duties is proposed, which
Will place a wholesome and less intoxicating stimulant within
the means of all classes of the community, is most favourable
for a revision of the spirit duties.

In the opinion of this Chamber, all equalisation of these
duties, to the amount now levied in our _Australian Colonies
upon all spirits, say 10s. per gallon, would produce a greatly
inereased revenue, and that such eqlalisation and increase of
duty would at this time meet with tne general concurrence and
approval of all classes of the community, since it would yield a
revenue equal to a very consideraule reduction—say of 2d. or
21d. in the pound in the proposed Income-tax.

On this subject I have received a letter from Mr. C. R.
Hall, who is in LondOn. .He writes thus :—" I had
some conversation with Mr. Horsfall, on the subject of
equalising the spirit duties to 10s. a gallon, and he has
prepared the Chancellor of the Exchequer to receive a
deputation on that subject. I fear we have hardly
authority from the association on that subject, but think
if you can put yourselves in a position to recommend to
him the adoption of an equal rate of 10s. on all spirits
it might not he unfavourably received. Alter consider-
ing this question, I am not indisposed to go along with
you in it, arid I think it would meet with favour from
the trade here." Now, I happen to know that it would
meet with a favourable reception from the wine trade in
London, and I believe from many members of that trade
in Liverpool; and this is the favourable time for the
adoption of such a measure, because you are now hold-
ing out to the poor man a more wholesome, less intoxi-
cating, and a cheaper stimulant than the spirit that he
drinks. This is, in truth, a step in the path of tem-
perance and moralityi; for, although you may diminish
the consumption, you will have the advantage of
having led the poor to consume that which is both
better for their morals and for their health; if on the
other hand you say you will not reduce the consumption,
then I tell you plainly, by this plan you will get ,the
revenue, and you cannot raise it on a more legitimate
article for taxation than spirits. You will remember
that in the correspondence with Lord Cowley and Mr.
Cobden, Lord John Russell wrote—" With respect to
brandy, the present duty is 15s. per gallon. The lowest
point to which, for any British purpose, her Majesty's
Government could propose, to reduce the duty, would be
10. per gallon. The duty on British spirits made at
home under the restrictions of the excise is Bs. per gal-
lon, and on British spirits brought over the sea from
the Colonies is Bs. 2d. per gallon. If nevertheless,
you should find that by making a concession,
even beyond what I have named, you • can
obtain from the Government of.the Emperor satisfactory
arrangements for early reduction of duty upon some
important commodities, you are autborised to engage for
the reduction of the duty on brandy to the same rate as
that on British s-pirits brought from the Colonies,
namely, Bs. 2d. per gallon. It would be necessary,
however, to reserve, with a view to this article, the
right of increasing the duty by an equivalent amount,
in case the domestic duty should be increased."
To carry out this view, Clause 9 of the treaty provides
" It is equally understood between the high contracting
powers, that in case the British Government should
deem it necessary to increase the excise duties levied
upon home-made spirits, the duties on the importation
of wines may be modified in the following manner :
For every increase of is. per gallon of spirits on the
excise duty, there may be, on wines which pay is. 6d.
duty, an augmentation not exceeding lid. per gallon;
and on wines which pay 25., an augmentation of 21d.
per gallon." Is it not better to do this—to make this
change now, . when it can• be said, " this is purely. a
financial question with the British people; it is in no spirit
of antagonism to you, the French people, that we keep
the duty at 10s., and if you suffer to the extent of
ls. 10d. on two millions of gallons, we, the British
people suffer to the extent of Is. 10d. on twenty-
six millions of gallons of our home and colonial
spirit." I have, after long and deep consider-
ation, come to the opinion that whether we
look at this matter from a moral, social, or revenue point
1 of view, this change must be effected, and that now is
the most favourable period for accomplishing it.
Whilst I have life and health, although I may be
opposed by many of my fellow-traders in this line of
business, I will agitate this question, because I believe
spirits are a source from whence a larger amount of
revenue should be derived, and e3pecially lo at a time
like this. I urge you t,o consider this matter most
carefully; and I ask you to arm us with powers to
recommend to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to
equalise the duties on all spirits to 10s. a gallon, and

I am sure you will hereafter be satisfied with what you
have done. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. WILLIAM BROWN on financial, moral, and com-
mercial grounds seconded the resolution.
Mr. Boucx, as the vice-president of the West India
Chamber, said he was compelled to bring before their
notice the effect th is resolution would have upon one of the
most material articles of West India imports—namely,
rum. They had long sought to be allowed to introduce
molasses into the breweries, btlt. they iirtt't not
suc-
ceeded. If Mr. Bushell would adopt, la to his
yet
as a r
resolution, that the Chancellor be memGrip.
'ised to allow
the introduction of molasses in+^ ,
oreweries, ne tv6s.la
if
_ _

He could not allow this oppor-
tunity to pass without expressing his feeling of the
value of the treaty. He confessed he was surprised
at the little sympathy shown to the Emperor of the
French in his struggels with protection. (Hear, hear.)
He took what the Emperor had done for us as an ear-
nest of what he intended to do. It was a most impor-
tant movement. The two countries had been lying
since their creation within sight of each other. We
had been alienated from each other by political circum-
stances; and nothing would sooner put an end to alie-
nation than the friendly intercourse which trade intro-
duced. (Hear, hear.) He did not attach any importance
to the objections in reference to coal, for even those who
objected admitted there was certainly enough of coal to
last us three hundred years. Why, before that time we
might not need coal; we might be carrying on every-
thing by electricity. The march of science had been
such that we knew not where we should be fifty years
hence. (Hear, hear.) He thought by such objections
they were only bewildering themselves. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Joirrt BALD opposed Mr. Bushell's motion. He
held that if they increased the duty on spirits from Bs.
to 10i,. it would defeat the object they had in view, as
it would interfere with consumption very materially.
He held that the French wines would be nothing more
than diluted spirits; and two glasses would go as far as
one of gin. He strongly opposed the resolution moved
by Mr. Bushell.
Mr. F. BOULT spoke in high terms in favour of the
treaty and the budget. He denied that the additional
duty on spirits would reduce the consumption.
After some discussion as to whether the resolution of
Mr. Bushell should be withdrawn until the memorial
was agreed to, the chairman said the discussion must go
on, and the division must first take place on Mr. Bushell's
motion.
Mr. JEFFERY thought that, if the chancellor had
introduced into the treaty the additional charges recom-
mended by Mr. Bushell, a powerful cry would have been
raised against it. He thought the attempt would be
inopportune in - the present state of the treaty with
France. He conceived that treaty to be one of the
greatest steps in the breaking off of trammels on trade
and commerce. He looked upon it as a step in the right
direction. and that the French would have free-trade
advantages made so palpable to them that they would
memorialise the Emperor to allow them to go on till
they had got free-trade in its integrity.
Mr. Bushell having briefly replied, his motion was
put, as an amendment, and rejected by &large majority.
Mr. BUSUELL then said, that though the, chancellor
had stated his willingness to consider those smaller
charges, he thought it necessary, for the protection of
commerce, to move the following substantive motion :
That the chamber recognises the justice of the principle
that the facilitif s given to commerce, by the operation of the
bonding system, shoul I be, in some degree, compensated
by a small and reasonable payment by the trader (to use the
words of resolution 12, to be proposed in committee on customs
acts), "in aid of the charges of customs' establishment." But
this chamber being unanimously of opinion that the charges
proposed to be levied would be not only oppressive upon com-
merce, but, in some cases, prohibitory, respectfully suggests
to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the absolute necessity for
their reconsideration and revision.
At the request of Mr. Holland, the motion was with-
drawn for the present. The petition, or memorial, was
then adopted, and ordered to be signed by the chairman
on behalf of the meeting, and sent to the borough mem-
bers for presentation to the House of Commons.
Mr. Bonen seconded the resolution just proposed by
Mr. Bushell; and the motion having been agreed to, it
was left to the council of the chamber to take such
action as they might deem requisite.
A resolution, submitted by Mr. Bald, which had been
agreed to by the Corn Association; ana a resolution
proposed by Mr. Forwood, complaining of the proposed
imposition of a penny on each package, were each re-
ferred co the council of the chamber. '
A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the
proceedings, which occupied five hours.

GENERAL VESTRY MEETING.--YESTERDAY.

A special general vestry of the ratepayers of the
parish of Liverpool was held, yesterday, in St. Nicholas'
Church for the purpose of empowering the Burial Board
to borrow a sufficient sum of money to lay out the pro-
posed new cemetery. Mr. Churchwarden Jones pre-
sided; and amongst the other parties present were
Messrs. J. R. Jeffery, Bairstow, Corbally, Thornley,
Scott, &c.
Mr. JEFFERY said it would be in the recollection of
the vestry that on the last occasion of a vestry being
held sanction was given to the Burial Board, confirming
certain contracts for the purchase of land for a cemetery.
The contracts had subsequently been definitely ar-
ranged, and in order to pay for those purchases it be-
came necessary that they should enter into arrangements
to borrow the necessary sum. It was then stated that
the money requisite for the payment of the land would*
amount to somewhere about £50,000; and that for
enclosing, draining, and erecting the necessary buildings
thereon, they would probably need another £25,000.
The board, he was happy to say, had negotiated success-
fully with the Economic Association in London for the
borrowing of this large sum of money, on what the
board considered, most advantages terms. It was not
considered fair to tax the present generation solely, and
therefore the money 'bad been borrowed to extend
over a period of forty years, at less than five
per cent. He submitted the following resolution :
" That the statutes 15 and 16 Vic., c. 85, sec. 20, as
amended by the Act of 20 and 21 Vic. c. 18, (being the
statutes applicable to the authorising by the Vestry of
the borrowing of the sum required by the Burial Board
for the parish of Liverpool, for the purpose of carrying
out the objects of the burials beyond the Metropolis
Acts,) having been read and considered, the said Burial
Board be, and they are hereby authorised to borrow the
sum of £75,000 (in such sums, and in such manner,
and on such terms as the board shall think expedient),
for the purpose of providing and laying out the burial
ground under the said acts, and building a chapel or
chapels thereon, and of charging the future poor-rates
of the parish with the payment of such money and
interest thereon." It would no doubt be satisfactory to
the Vestry to learn that the board had advertised for
plans for laying out the grounds, and that plans had
been received in considerable numbers. The board
would shortly proceed to the inspection of 'the plans,
and take steps to inform the public of the result.
Mr. JACKSON seconded the resolution. He confirmed
the statement which had previously been made by Mr.
Bairstow—that the ratepayers would not be called upon
to, pay more than about one penny in the pound per
annum; and they even anticipated, in the course of a
few years, that the cemetery would become remunera-
tive to the parishioners. Whatever sum was realised
would, of course, be paid back into the poor's rate.
The CHAIRMAN—What is the security you give ?

Mr. JEFFERY—The poor's rate. -
The resolution was then put, and agreed to unani-
mously.
On the motion of Mr. Jeffery, seconded by Mr. Cor-
bally, a vote of thanks was tendered to the auditors,
Mr. John Smith and Mr. Thomas Smith, for their past
services; and they were re-appointed auditors for the
ensuing year.
A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the
proceedings.

Mn. SPURGEON IN PARIS.—Mr. Spurgeon's first
appearance in Paris attracted an overflowing congrega-
tion on Tuesday to the American Chapel in the Rue du
Berri. All the aisles were closely packed with people
who had to stand during the two hours that the service
lasted. A great many ladies and women of the bumbler
class of English residents were present. The assemblage
consisted almost entirely. of English and Americans. A
Frenchman's evening in Paris is too precious to be
sacrificed to any foreign celebrity whose fame has not
yet been stamped by the fiat of an approved Parisian
critic. On Mr. Spurgeon's appearance in the pulpit, a
thrill of excitement passed through the crowd, and was
only prevented from breaking out into open applause by
respect for the sanctity of the building. Afters short
prayer, he gave out a psalm. Mr. Spurgeon said, after
the first verse, " Your singing is a very feeble cry,
could we not sing a little more earnestly ?" The re-
proof produced no effect; the church was mainly filled
with that respectable upper stratum of the middle class
which is not addicted to public psalm-singing, and could
not change its habits at the word of command. Mr.
Spurgeon pronounced a discourse which was an exposi-
tion of the 103rd psalm.

NORTHERN DAILY- TIMES.