Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-21 00:00:00

CLOSING PRICBS.

Chester & 13'head 771 78 N. E. Ber. c. Stock 95 951
Caledonian 93,t 93 Yorkcapital Stock 78 79
E;Counties 111 11 13-16 Leeds Stock .. 49
G. N. Stoat ....107 108 S. Ea5t...24 15-16 25 1-16
Great Wouterns.. 691 • 691 Dutch Rhenish .. 41 ad 4-2 d
Lan. aud York .. 99.4 994 Gt. Luxem.. .7 3-16 7 5-16
Ln. & Nor. West. 981 9S G.T. Canada. 10 7-16 110.4
„ 1-shares .. 1 7-16 d G. W. Canada .. 131 !134
M. S. and" Lincoln 38a 38 new shares 71 '6ld
9 _ -

1
Midland ' Stot4k _lOBl 109 Buffalo &c. 4 13-16 415-16
N. British Stock.. 621 6211 Great Ship ....11/6 12/6
N. Stafford . 31.3.4;1 LofabNenetian. 21 3i,LT.)

The general Trade of the country at present,
although it cannot with propriety be called brisk,
is nevertheless -good, and of a substantial and
hopeful charactm At this period of the year,
commercial matters Aro generally investigated
with a view to ascertain the past state and pre
sent conditic n, of mercantile affairs ; and allteit,
that this important process is as . yet my
in progress, enough is already known to bear
oat the favonrable anticipations formed 1 at
the end of the first half of the present year.
So far as the investigation has been carried
'—and that is now nearly to a conclusion for the
year almost every branch of general trade.
appears to have been prosperous. It is true that
large and exciting transactions of an isolated and
speculative nature have no's been characteribtic
of the year's business, but the aggregate amount
of the transactions has been large, and its nature_
has been safe and satisfactory. The operations
in all branches have been of a legitimate and
wholesome description, regulated more by .the
consumptive demands of the country than by any
fictitious spirit of speculative adventure. , The
natural result is, that the year 1859 will close
leaving the mercantile world in a better condition
than was prevalent at its opening.
While making these observations, it is impos-
sible to shut our eyes to the fact, that, during the -
progress of the closing year, several events have
occurred on the European continent tending
considerably to check trade, and, in not a few
instances, threatening seriously to comproraLe
the peaceful relation of commerce throughout
the world. Indeed it would be premature to
say that those inimical influences have been
entirely removed. On the contrary, there are.
such indications, abroad in several quarters as
to 'cause serious apprehension in the minds of
many- welt-informed persons; - with respect to-
what will be the final issue of the complications
which at present disturb the politicians, of the
Great Powers of Europe. Under the influence of
these disturbing causes which have from time to
time shown greater activity than was desirable,
considerable fluctuations have taken place among
our leading manufactures and staple articles of
produce ; yet it is gratifying to know that, taken
as a whole, the commercial body remains healthy,
and that its action continues vigorous.
The preceding observations, although directed
to the progress and condition of general com-
merce, will nevertheless apply with nearly--
equal force to the history.and condition of the
Wood trade. Like other important branches of
commercial business, it has had its fluctuations
and periods of threatened depression. Early in the
season the import seemed to promise such an excess
as to cause deterioration of prices in several of the'
leading articles. Circumstances, however, inter-
posed to counteract these u npromising appearances,
and, contrary to generalexpectation, the aggregate
of imports was rather under than over an average,
so that. the previously accumulated stocks were
not materially augmented. The general pros-
perity of the country gave such an impetuS to
building and other operations as to cause anin-•
creased consumptive demand for most kinds of
wood, and, consequent on this, better prices were
obtained, and the stock on hand may now be de-
scribed as moderate, and the rates of value as
having an upward tendency.

LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE.
Tuesday Evening:
The Market for English Securities, was ex-
tremely quiet, and in the absence of business,
prices were scarcely supported. Consols opened
at last night's quotations, but have since slightly
receded,- and are now marked-954 ex div. ; Ate-
duced Three per Cents. have been dealt in lat
954, 1- and 4 ; New Three per. Cents., 954, lz ;
India Debentures, 97.;?, 4, rind 4 ; 'the -I3onds un ert i
£l,OOO, Os. prem. ; and Exchequer Bills, 28i. rid
31s. prem. large and small. New,lndian F ve,
per cent. Loan is nominally quoted 104 to I.
Ocean Marine Insurance Shares are steady at 14
to 4,-1- pm.
In the English Railway 'Market the tone was
moderately firm, but little business 'was done.
Shares, remained at about the quotations of yes-
terday afternoon.
, , 1
The Market f - F-•-•eir • Securities was almost

-arke‘ for oreign
suspended, and prices showed heavines, espe-
cially
_with regard to the Nevi,_ Turkish Sixes,
which have d9elined to 63 for money, and for,.
account. Original Six per Cents. realised '77
and 761.
French Rentes on the Paris Bourse were first
quoted Mr. and subsequently 70f. 30c., with
a rather firmer mariiet.
The st( 'num Africa, from New York, has
brought £134,55Q iii specie.

TILE FUNDS,--I

Con. Moruy .
_Amount . 1
Exchequer Bills. 28 32

osr is rRICES.
Bank Stock .. .. 227 9
Three per Cents. 954
Next Account
SSEAREB.

RAILWAY
.A. Not. &E. J. 6 1
Caledonians , 931
Puteh Rhenish..
Eastern Counties 581 59
East Lancashire.
& Glat. 82 83
Great Northern.. 106 i ti
, 3, A. 94 51
at. Wciienis.... 691
Gt. W. Canada.. 131
Gd. Tk. of C..... 193 -;
Gt. S. and W.. • 111 113

Lanc. & 99 1
L. &N. W..... 981 I
L. &S. W. .... 971, 84
Leeds Northern.. 484- a
Man.Sheff.&Lin. 381 9'
Midland Stock..ldB 91,.
North British ..
N. Staffordshire.
S. E.•& Dover .. 83
York, N. & B 94 5
York &N. Mid „ 784- 9

LIVERPOOL AGRICITE

s. d. e. d.
Hay, old
Ditto, new - 9 ..." 0 11
Ditto; clover 0 9 0 101
Green Clover
Vetches 0 0 • 0 0
Straw, wheat
Ditto, oat 0 31 ... 0 G
-Ditto, barley 0 4 0 5
Oats, in straw 0 0 .. 0 0{
Potatoc, flukes 0 0 ... 0 0

'URAL MARKET, DEC. 20.

s. d. s. d.
Potatos, kemps 0 0 to 0 0
Do. Seedlings. 0 0 0 0:
Do, whiterocks 0 0 0 0;
Do. Balshaw . 0 0 ... 0 0
Do. Doldrums 0 0 0, 0
Do. cattle
Turnips 22 0 ...24 0
Carrots - 0 0 ... 0 0
Mangelwurzel 0 0 ... 0 0
Manure 5 6 ... 6 C

TIMBER MARKET,

(From .4. F. and D. _Mackay's Circular' of Dec.-21.)
Since our Annual Circular, dated Ist February, 325
vessels, 275,090 tons register, wood-laden, have arrived
from British,North America, viz.,' 115 from Quebec,
125 from St. John, N. 8., and 85 from other ports; at
the same date last year, 291 vessels,, 231,257 tons had
arrived..
PINE Tnnsm.—The arrivals ,of- this article from
Quebechave been comparatively small. This may be
accounted for by the numerous disasters to shipping en-
gaged, or about to be engaged in the wood trade, and to
, which we made more pointed allusion in our last circular.
The circumscribed import, taken in connection with an
increased demand, has caused a considemble advance in
the ivalue of this timber, and promises, with "the Pjesent
limited supply and extending consumption,- to still
further enhance prices. Recently sales have been
effected at .from 17d. to 21d., according' to size and
quality, being an advance of 2d. to 3d. per foot over the
rices which prevailed early in the season. Board' logs
1)a pave yielded an average of 2s. 2d. per foot, . The import
from St John has been chiefij, on dealers' account, and
prices rule high. A-small parcel of Lower Port has been
sold at 161 per. foot.
IED PINE.—The stock of this article is
sales may BC stated as active. Fifty:tiio feet average
unseen has, beed sold at 21d. per foot ; 65 feet 4rage,
at'froar 2s: to 241 d. per foot, and other sizes-in propor-
tion.
OARt from Quebec, of fair averag,e. size 4nd quality,
vas teen sold at 2s. per foot from the quay. A pre-
ference is still given by consumers to the Thornton Oak,
from Virginia, and higher prices are obtained for it.
ELM.—Of this there is a fair amount of stock in the
market, notwithstanding which the prices still rule high, .
40 feet average having been sold at 20d. -per feet -
N. B. and N. S. PINE AND SPRUCE DEALS.--The".
market for these is 'still improving. The supply has
been materially less than an -average, and the demand,
regulated by the favour which experience has shown to
be well founded in respect to the economic uses in which
they may be profitably employed, has considerably en-
hanced their market value. In the meantime, fortunate
holders.of the limited stock on hand are not disposed to
sell even at the present advanced prices, but defer trans-
actions in expectation of a further decided improvement,
which there is every reason to believe will. be fully
realised. In the present unsettled state of the market,
to cite quotations could only tend to mislead, and there-
fore we refrain from giving them.
QUEBEC DEAL:3.—Of these the stock is less than half
of what L reached at this time last year, and prices have
advanced. k few third quality Spruce stowage sold at
£9 55., third quality broad Pine at £lO 55., seconds at
£l2 ss. First quality scarce and dear.
HARDWOOD remains as at the date of our last circular.
PITCH PINE.—Of this there has been no import since
our last, and sales are confined to retail from the yard.
fanzENnrAirr.—A cargo recently imported has been
sold to the Mersey-peeks and Harbour Board.
E. I. TEAKWOOD.—Of this valuable timber .cargoes
have been, sold. to arrive, at prices which will not trans-
pire. Importers are now demanding much higher rates
than those lately prevalent.
BA*LTIC Taiuna,--yThe imports of this has been

THE DAY'S NEWS:

-. It is intimated, it will be seen, that the session
of the French. legislative . body will .be opened
about- the middle of next month. No idea can
yet be formed of what projects of
.law will be
introduced, but it is understood in Paris that "both
the military and: naval establishments of the
country will become objects, of legislative action,
with the view of- increased- efficiency, -and of
effecting their extension asaccasion imp require.
We learn. from Vienna that the .A.ustrian:Go-
vernment has resolved upon reducing the army
There- is much, - however, in the position of por-
tions of .the Austrian dominions to render such a
step, at the present moment, one would think,
anything but probable. In Hungary, especially,
there is an `uneasy feeling among the people,
' occasioned by the 'measures of the Government
relative to religion, which promises anything biA.
peace. The 'popular - feeling on this subject, as
well as upon others, is decidedly hostile to Austrian
rule,—so much- so that on a recent occasion of an
attempt to enforce d domiciliary visit, which was re-
sisted by force, no workmen could be obtained to
break open the door, The, agitated state of Hungary
is beginning, we perceive, to depress very decidedly
the Bourse at Vienna. A meeting, called in the
accounts, " A great Protestant meeting," the .
Object of which was IV petition the Emperor to
suspend an. obnoxious decree, was compelled by
the authorities to disperse, which it did after
singing the anthem " God is -a tower of strength."
Great agitation, however, was produced by this

occurrence.

The recently hostile tribes of the Caucasus are
at length declaring their 'submission to RuSsia.
Let us hope that this may be regarded as the
forerunner of a higher and better state of civilisa-
tion in that province of Asiatic Russia..
Lancashire, it seems, is to be drawn upon in
the formation of a second 'battalion foe the regi-
ments of the line. The 25th Regiment it is that
is to be thus enlarged, and it has been decided,
it seems, that the. battalion shall be raised at
Preston ; and we believe that•in the course of the
present week a body of sixty men, properly
officered, will be established there as its nucleus.
The London Times, in one its leading

articles, yesterday, remarks with much feeling
upon the human suffering 'that is to be found
among those destitute people of the metropolis
who have no regular homes and are, when domi-
ciled at all, the inmates of the Common Lodging-
houses. "We are well aware," says our contem-
porary, " that by the law of England no English
man, woman, or child can die of starvation.
There are workhouses and casual wards,
and a very complete machinery for the
relief of poverty in full operation." Now
the theory of this, as the writer proceeds to
show, is all very admirable ; still to a certain
degree facts refuse to bend to it. " Whether it
is that the law in too many cases is harshly
and severely administered—whether it is that
poverty is so perverse that it will not at
times receive relief in the regulation form ; or,
finally, that from their youth and inexperience,
or by the interference of their parents, those
who most require relief either know not where
to seek it or are prevented from seeking it,
the fact remains that there are thousands upon
thousands of destitute persons, mainly young per-
sons, about the streets of London who suffer as
much misery as though a Poor Law did not exist
in the Statute Book." And if so much misery be
suffered by these wretched people in ordinary
times, how fearfully must it be aggravated under
the rigours of such a season as th? present. We
believe that the extreme misery inflicted upon these
people by the inclemency of the weather, which not
only prevents them from picking up their pre;
curious subsistence in the streets, but exposes
them to cold as well as hunger—which one's
wonder is that human nature can endure—is too
little thought of by those who are so apt to
think that they satisfy every demand of charity
by paying the poor rates. It is to be feared
that Liverpool, as Well as London, has its
thousands of such suffering people in the midst
of all Fits wealth 'arid greatness.' Let us hope
that there will not be wanting Christmas hearts
ready to bestow upon such at least some Christmas
cheer, and, that will even take the trouble to find
them out to enable them to obtain it.

In our columns to-day we record with satis-
faction—indeed very great pleasure—a detailed
account of the proceedings which took place
yesterday at the annual examination: of the
Collegiate Institution. This annual competitive
examination is looked forward to by the in-
habitants of Liverpool with much interest, atd
its results are generally the theme of many a
gratified fireside conversation. The schools com-
prised in the institution, as is well known, are
most ably conducted, and afford means for the
best kind of education to be met with in
the- town or neighbourhood ; combining as
they do the characteristics of a public school
training with the advantages of domestic sur-
veillance. The proceedings of the day were con-
ducted under the auspices of the Lord Bishop of
Chester, who, in feeling and persuasive terms,
impressed on all present the advantages of dis-
cipline aild the great benefits conferred by educa-
tion. After the prizes had been distributed, with
encouraging yet admonitory remarks by his lord-
ship, the pupils were addressed by his Worship
the Mayor (T. D. Anderson, Esq.,) who alluded
in terms of pleasing laudations to the distinctions
gained in the local examinations for -the Univer-
sity honours by the - students of the Liverpool
Collegiate Institution. The remarks of the Rev.
Dr. 3,l'Neile and of- the Rev. J. S. llowson, the
principal of the institution, were also appropriate
and felicitous. The scene, the circumstances, and
the objects of the examination confer on the pro-
ceedings a high and an abiding amount of
interest.

THE city of New York has just witnessed a very
characteristic illustration of that "pure democra-
cy," which is boasted of as the great principle of
its political and municipal institutions. Some
people, we know, are of opinion that it contains
within it a self-correcting element,—a conserva-
tive element, which can at any time be worked
upon, and brought into action, as a corrective of
its mischiefs, and for the preservation of the in-
stitutions ifi which its principles prevail. And,
some three years ago, this element, or something
said to be it, was actually made available for the
rescue of that great transatlantic city from one
of the most severe, and crushing, and degrading
democratic inflictions, which the municipality of
any place could well labour under. The Mayor
of that city, who, at that time, sought re-election,
a Mr. WOOD, was one who had given so mon-
strous an exposition of the evils of democracy,
that not only what may be called the conserva-
tism of the place, but its real respectability of
every party, rose up almost as one man to
oppose and defeat him. It was, undoubtedly,
a great triumph; it constituted, or appeared
to constitute, a defence of democracy, which
was well calculated to quell the fears of those
-who had begun to despair of it, whether in its
political or municipal aspect. It was, however,
after all, a very convulsive effort—one of those
sudden and violent impulses which' can seldom 'be
made effective to any great practical end. And
the truth of this conclusion has just been remark-
ably verified, at the recurring triennial election
of the chief magistrate for the same city, which
has resulted in the election of the same obnoxious
democrat and demagogue, who on the last occa-
sion was so ignominiously driven from a position
he had proved himself utterly up qualified to
occupy. It was under the Muyoi-tity of Mr.
WooD, who has now been received back again
with open arms, that there arose not only the
of_p; York,blica but
ts
an
tgherossge:atat maladministrationcommerci
of New
increase of its taxation to an amount which would
never be tolerated in any municipality of this
country. Such a
chow of municipal
taxation, we

Admit, did great ' credit to the wealth of
the city, as will be seen when we state,, that 4
amounted to about two per cent. of thegroselfallia
ation,—a taxation of two per cent. upon an estate
yielding five per cent. per annum 1. What would
be thought of such a thing in Liverpool, weer
in the shape of a borough-rate, or any rate wiltit.
ever ? Why, it would create a rebellion. Die

power of imposing such an amount of taxes
would_ of itself be quite enough, were there Ile-
thing else, to invest the municipal elections' of
place like New York with great importance'
But there is far more than that to make 00
important. They are scenes in the great PO:
cal drama of the Republic itself. The-NeW
correspondent of the Times, we observe, descrlbes
the polling booths, on the occasion to which 'icae
refer, as " abundantly :darned with bills an
placards, representing the American Eagle
every conceivable state of torture--uplifted bands
grasping and wielding gigantic hammers—tile
Goddess of Liberty, crowned with the heltat of
Britannia, grasping a spear and frowning from
between two diminutive columns of a still In°
diminutive temple, supposed to be dedicated t°
the liberties of .this country, and sundry otherir
equally pertinent and striking illustration`'
This will give some slight idea of its politicill
character. And in order that there might be
mistake about its importance, the successful C 5
didate was distinguished throughout as the
" national candidate,"—that is to say, it 035,
professed that he represented the national
democracy, democracy, which, in , his . person, has folio°
a much more apt representative, we believe'
when the case is carefully examined, than inl
of his supporters would like to admit. 13ut
so it is. Wherever the democratic eleinent he" 4.
full swing, it will generally have its own wai;
and that way is seldom one friendly to either
social order, or public or private virtue. Ilre
may thank our stars, therefore, that, here
England, that element is kept in due restraint'
All tyrannies are odious ; but it hfis ever beet
admitted, in all times and under all circumstance'
that the most odious of tyrannies is that of 11
democracy.

NOTWITHSTANDING that extreme measures see°
imminent iu the House of Commons, we thi4
that the discussions on Reform throughout the
country, during the recess, have made for us elle
gain. Six Months or more ago, it was, perhe
doubtful whether there would be so unaninoll°
an agreement that this question is to be argued
solely upon the basis of the Constitution. I.lfr
BRIGHT'S party was anxious to breed an if
pression in men's minds that the British Cons°.
talon was on its trial; that it was a dispute 4
point; that it remained to be seen whether tile
age had not outgrown it ; that, altogether, it
in such, a frail and doubtful position that the
very utmost its Tory defenders could hope was t°
propitiate the stern justice and the rigid doctrine°
of its democratic assailants. We were bell
found out, and were warned to look about us'
we wished to save anything in the scramble that

was coming on.
*lt must be admitted this was anything hut 13
comfortable prospect to look forward to. It 105
a rude shock to the political belief in which Fe
had been brought up, to be, told that it .o'4
wrong just because we had been brought UP ill
it ; that everything was henceforth to be Ill'
and that it was a lucky thing for us, it we eeli/a
by any amount of accommodating temper OA
tact, manage to fall into it. A future, presidc"
over by Mr. BRIGHT and his associated sciolist4
was not a reassuring prospect, and was almost
signal to all true Englishmen to " pack up tb-cit
traps and be gone." But the experience of til:
last few months, marked as it has been by ollel
double dealing, much caprice, and much teniPta.
tion, by many weaknesses and by some treacherie*
has yet taught us how much of England there ~
still left, how much there is still sound,
how little reason there is to be hopeless or fe3t:
ful. The truth is, no one has yet called in )at
BR.IGHT to the ailing patient ; and every one 'Oe
the slightest pretence to reprdsent any real b°
d
'
of opinion in the country utterly laughs at -fL
rejects his attentions. One thing, therefore,
' evident, that Mr. BRIGHT and the country 3fe^
et,
issue on their leading principle, that their 1:111,c5,
ence is vital and fundamental. The country t9i,eo
for granted the Constitution ; Mr. BRIGHT UlO,O
for granted nothing but the value of his °
ft
nostrums and the worthlessness of the. preebe,
system. There is nothing therefore at oue
tween Mr. BRIGHT and the country ; theY
not go a step in the road together. It if/ natty /3;
therefore, to suppose that Mr. BRIGHT and t
1
th
country—that is, this present England, .
its variety of classes, its grades of oducaa
and intelligence, its differences' of property
position, and its harmonious -anion of interests
should wish to get rid of, and overreach, o
~
another. Mr. BRIGHT makes no secret el
to,
enmity, nor of the sweeping and releotleot
character of his purPose. He has, somehoW,ol4
(
himself upon a pinnacle of self-complacency vio
arrogance, from whence-he looks down
apt
scorn upon everything which men treasue' to
—upon everything which the coun: y e°
least part with and be herself'. Nov, v, `-'• °c
o,
advocates for entering the list with this.
We strongly reprobate the notion of giving toe'
a fictitious importance or supplying bilatitliS
prominently and too consciously with the tra 1,0
which call out his opposition. Need Englaribvrt
impeded in her mighty march by well
ot
olt
upon her garments as this ? Need the char-°t
wheel
to brush a fly from off. the inside of the tin
strong enough to crush even the Pavel/lc:00V
pieces ? Surely the country which WO 11°Ne
about her own internal pmitiont aiia