The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-30 00:00:00

THE DAY'S NEWS.

The Overland Mail reached London yesterday,
and the intelligence brought thereby is of much
interest and importance. In the first place,
we have particulars of the capture of Bushire
and other operations on the part of the British
fleet in the Persian Gulf. Although the
British forces made short work of the oppo-
sition which the Persians offered, it must be
said that the latter showed a great deal of
courage, and, for the time, fought with spirit and
determination. It appears that the opponents of
the British forces were not the regular Persian
troops, but Arab mercenaries, belonging to two of
the most powerful among the sea coast tribes—•the
Dashti and the Tungestoonie—who lost, it is be-
lieved, three chiefs of note, b,!sides great numbers
of low degree. The Governor of Bushire, and also
the Persian Minister of Foreign Affairs, were taken
prisoners. The advices from China are of a more
hopeful character, inasmuch as Admiral Seymour
had ceased from offensive operations, until he
receives despatches from the Home Government.
From Melbourne the news extends to the 31st of
October, and is of a melancholy charcter. Ensign
Pennefather, of her Majesty's 40th Regiment of
foot, had, in what appears to be a fit of insanity,
shot two of his fellow officers, and the doctor of
the regiment, and afterwards shot himself through
the temple. The affair has caused the utmost
consternation. We have given as full details of
these affairs as the crowded state of our columns
would permit.
Accounts from Naples are of an unsatisfactory
character. A letter dated Jan. 21, says the theatres
are cloSed, most of the cafes and hotels, more than
half of the printing offices, and the greater part of
the libraries are also closed. The Custom House is
nearly deserted. Judge of the state in which we
are. The letter boxes are shut, and every person
wishing to post a letter must deliver it personally
into the hands of a clerk." Since the explosion of
the powder magazine and the arrest of Milano,
more than 500 persons have been arrested, and of
these certainly not more than 100 have been
released.
The intelligence that the British fleet has
evacuated the Black Sea, and the Russians taken
their departure from the Isle of Serpents, is con
firmed.

By way of Paris we learn that the Neufehatel
dispute is unchanged in aspect. Dr. Kern, who
expects to be the Plenipotentiary from the
Confederation, is still at Paris. Neither the
place nor the date of holding the Conference
yet decided. The chances were for

some time in favour of London, but it seems
that Lord Palmerston appears willing to yield on
this point to the French Government, and the
chances are now said to be for Paris. We know
nothing officially of the conditions on which the
King of Prussia will consent to renounce his claims
on the Neuchatel.

Tne Pope, as was anticipated, has interfered in
the favour of pardon being extended to Verger on
the plea of insanity. As yet the. Emperor of the
French has not come to a decision, but negocia
tion is carried on.

From Constantinople we learn the disorders in
in Lebanon have been put down. The Circessians
have divided their forces into three corps. The
first, that of Abchasia ; the second of Lesghistan ;
the third of Kabarda. Their forces are very con-
siderable, and have alarmed the Russians,
compelling them to concentrate their troops on
the banks of the Kur.
The Mercantile Law Conference continued its
sittings yesterday. Mr. Edward Heath, of Liver-
pool, brought forward a suggestion on the establish-
ment of tribunals of commerce similar to those
which exist on the continent ; and, after a discus-
sion, there was such an evident diversity of opinion
on the subject, that the conference could only
resolve to refer it to a general committee.
The Free Trade party in Manchester had their
annual gathering last night. The chief speaker
was the Right Hon. Milner Gibson, and the main
points of his two hours' address were, the Liver-
pool Toi4n %Dues, the attack on Canton, and the
cheap newspaper press. From our report of the
speech in question it will be perceived that the
Cotton Lords of Manchester will do all they can to
rob Liverpool of the Town Dues, inasmuch as
their representative in the House of Commons
has_received his instructions thereon.

Of the local topics, we may mention that the
Dock Committee have had the subject of life boats
under consideration. The address of the Liverpool
merchants and others to Sir John M'Neille and
Colonel Tulloch will be found in another column,
but for want of space we can do no more than;
recommend a perusal of the same.

.LIVERPOOL AND BIRKENHEAD DOCKS BILL.—TIi
examiner, Mr Frere, had this bill in due consideration on
Wednesday. Its object is to exempt from tolls all vessels,
whether in cargo or ballast, and the cargoes of all vessels
which shall discharge, receive, or take in, any part of
their cargoes in the River Mersey, or in any docks or
basins communicating therewith. The bill also proposes
to alter divers acts relating to the port of Liverpool,
ranging from the Bth of Anne:to the 17th of Victoria.
Standing orders complied with. The Birkenhead Gas and
Water Bill was postponed.

LITERPOOL CUSTOMS.—We have, upon former occasions,
alluded to the promotion of the officers and clerks in the
Customs department. We now find that another instance
has occurred in the person of Mr. Thom, the Controller of
Accounts and Jerquer—a gentleman well known to the
mercantile community of Liverpool, and who is distinguished
by great urbanity of manner, and a never ceasing anxiety
to farther the interests of the public. It appears that upon
the recommendation of the Board of Customs, the Lords of
the Treasury have been pleased to sanction his salary being
raised, as a mark of their lordships' approval of his merito-
rious services; a circumstance which shows that deserving*
public servants are appreciated by those in power.

Ouu POSITION IN lsnrA.—Coeval with the rise of the
Russian Empire rose the British Empire in India. With
systems diametrically opposed, similar results have been
achieved. Province after province has been annexed;
whole nations have at a word changed masters, and
become part of the two growing empires. Humanity and
justice have characterised the progress of the one, des-
potism in its severest form the other. The amelioration
of the hard lot of its subjects has been the constant type
of British rule in India ; personal aggrandisement and
perfect abnegation of individual rights the effects of
Russian czarism. Scrupulous:in; regard to her engage-
ments, Britain now rules in India, more from the prestige
of her truth and honour than by the power of the sword.
A treaty of alliance with her, insures in the hour of
danger a sure and trusty defender. No consideration of
time or expense diverts ber. The world no sooner hears
of the leaguer of Herat, than the tramping', of British
soldiers carries hope to the besieged and terror to the
enemy. The career of Britisn conquest in Asia must
surely go on, carrying with it civilisation and the human-
ising influence of Christianity. What lover of his race
can wish it otherwise ?

LIVERPOOL BANKRUPTCY COURT, YESTERDAY.—Before
Mr. Commissioner Stevenson.—/n re M'Larty & Co.—This
was an adjourned last examination meeting, but as the
balance sheet has not yet been filed, it was further adjourned
for a month, the bankrupts paying the expense of the
adjournment. It was stated that every exertion was being
made to complete the accounts, in order that the balance
sheet might be filed.

THE hope HALL LECTURES.—Last evening, the Rtiv.
D. Thorburn,. of Leith, delivered a lecture in the above
institution, on first fruits, tithes, and offerings, under'tbe
old testament dispensation." There was a very large
attendance of ladies and gentlemen. The Rev. Dr. Baylee
occupied the chair, and, after a few brief introductory re-
marks, introduced the lecturer, who with great eloquence
and ability dwelt at considerable length on the subject of
his leeure, much to the gratification and entertainment of
the company assembled. A vote of thanks to the lecturer
and the chairman concluded the business of the evening.
STANLEY VILLfGE LECTVRYS.—A course of village lec•
tures on interesting and instructive subjects is being delivered
at the National Schoolroom, Stanley The Rev. Thos.
Gardner, incumbent, in conjunction with a few of the more
influential inhabitants of the locality, feeling the advantages
to be derived by all classes from a course of free lectures,
made the attempt, and, we are happy to say, with great
success. Indeed, it would be impossible to accom-
modate a larger audience in the same room than was
present at the last lecture. Tuesday's lecture was
delivered by the Rev. F. A. West, the subject
being "Woman, her position and influence," the worthy
Incumbent of St. Ann's occupying the chair. Mr. West
began his address by adverting to the many sentiments
which meet in the word "woman," and then proceeded to
describe her position in various countries, heathen and
Christian, observing that Christianity was the only lever
with which she has been raised, morally and socially. The
rev, lecturer urged the necessity for increased facilities being
afforded for women to augment a slender income, and
concluded a most eloquent and instructive lecture by
remarking "It is hers to make the domestic constitution
what God designed it to be, a school for virtue, a home of
affection, a type of the church." A vote of thanks was then
unanimously accorded to Mr. West, and the- meeticg
separated. The next lecture will be on the ".Dignity of
Man," by Mr. John G. Brack.

THE PRINCE DE LIONS AND SIR ROBERT PEEL.—The
Nord of Brussels questions the authenticity of the version
sly; n by the Press, of the speech lately pronounced by the
Prince de Ligne. If the version given by the Belgian
paper be correct, the following is the only offensive personal
allusion made by the Prince .to Sir Robert:—" The lan-
guage of Sir Robert Peel was rather that of a drunken
pubic house decleilier (d'un magar ivre de taverne) than
of a gentleman,"
Tho marriage of the Count de Morny with the young
Princess.et Troubetzkoi was celebrated on the 19th at St.
the hotel acording
to the Greek and Catholic rites, at
with ofthe Princess Kotchoubei, the bride glittering
religious diamondsceremony, offeredony. th tog
n heraat
guests separated
phaerra husband.ted witwithout
n t Afterprn ee tehde
.
ing to the hotel of the
Countess de Morny
waited on
The next morning the
Majesty for having,a
(lon the Empress to thank her
her Majesty's portrait seelsv,biethfodreia,msennntdah.er as a pre-
sentouAthtehheiorrrmoortiaonn
DUBLIN CLUB POLITICS
"ofeiversity Club—the very
a Dublin Derbyite journal., the
embodiment of toryism —haved electeddisgu disgust
or
f.
Justice Keogh a member"
intelligence to be true, the indignant organ this astounding
explanation, but in the meantime suggests organ awaits some
if really elected, should at once retire, antdbat Mr, Keogh,
the painful necessity of lifting the veil which might "save
been allowed, out of respect to his office, to cover
ia have
1 cedente: Failing to obey this a Ivice, he learned judgelante-
warned that, " should he be so ill advised as to fo is
for c-,
',
himself upon the elub after the notice which we have given
him, he must be prepared to abids by the coniequences of his
own act, and we think we shall be able to satisfy at least
the conservative gentry and clergy who are membore of it
it is quite impossible that Mr. Keogh and they can meet in
the same club, and we beg to suggest to then the propriety
of an immediate general meeting to consider the conduct of
the committee, and to adopt further measurocn