Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-28 00:00:00

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

SHIPWRECIL.—The Dinapore, from Cardiff to Aden,
has been totally lost near Conquet ; the chief mate and
nine of the crew have been saved, and pilots are engaged
seeking the remainder.
ACCIDENTS.—A labourer, named John Lightfoot,
slipped off the parapet in George's-crescent yesterday.
He was severely injured in the thigh and hip joint by
the fall.—Thomas Barrett, also a labourer, had his back
seriously injured by a bale falling on him in North
John-street.
THE CRIMEAN SHEETS.—We should recommend our

friends to Beaumont and Sons' advertisement in another

column. We perceive they have determined to make a
final reduction in the price of these valuable sheets, so
as to give all a chance of getting one.
EDGE-HILL WORKING MEN'S ASSOCIATION —The
sixth of a course of lectures was delivered on Thursday
evening, in the rooms of the association, Wavertree-
road, by R. Houghton, Esq.—subject, " Astronomy."
Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather
the room was crowded by an attentive audience, com-
posed chiefly of the working classes.
FATAL ACCIDENT TO A CARTER.—Wm. Darlington,
a carter, living in Burlington-street, was engaged in
carting a heavy load of machinery along Hanover-
street, on Thursday, when he accidentally fell off the
lorry. Before he could extricate himself one of the
wheels passed over him, and inflicted such severe injuries
as to cause almost immediate death, life being extinct
ere he reached the Southern Hospital, whither he was
removed. An inquest will be held on view of the body
to-day.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT.—An accident occurred yesterday
which, from its nature, is wonderful it was not attended
with fatal consequences. A house in Cleveland-square
bone
w a s ;
being
and taken
considerable down,
progress to m ake whaad yof
breesno re
made i n
improve-
ments
thece inthigh a mass.
work, when, from some unexplained reason, the front
itb
Fortunately,roke. A labourer
however, i t
wasdid
wallon a felllad downwhmnot fall towards the street. A portion of the debris fell
also knocked down and stunned. He was immediately
conveyed to the Dispensary, where prbper remedies were-
applied, and he was able to resume his work in a short'
time.
The following patents, amongst others, passed the
great seal during the week ending January 24th,
1860 :—To M. A. F. Mennons, for a system of columns
or monuments to be employed as sentry-boxes, branch
post, and other offices, telegraph, and fire-engine
stations.—William Muir. for improvements in machi-
nery for communicating motion to foot lathes,
and other machines to be worked by treadles.—
H. T. Lambert, " Improved apparatus to be adapted to
ships' tackle or boats, for the purpose of facilitating the
disengaging of ships' boats when lowered into the water;"
J. Chatterton, " Improvements in the manufacture of
tubes of gutta-percha and other subAances capable of being
moulded in a similar manner when in a plastic state, and
also in coating wire and other cores with such substance ;''
James Turpie, " Improvement in the fore and aft gaff
and boom sails of ships ;" T. Vicars, sen., T. Vicars,
jun., Thomas Ashmore and James Smith, all of Liver-
pool, " Improvements in the manufacture of bread
biscuits, and like articles, and in the machinery and
apparatus connected therewith ;" G. J. Firmin, "Im-
provements in the manufacture of tartaric and citric
acids, and certain salts in connection therewith.—Com-
municated from the Patent Offices, 4, Clayton-viare,
Liverpool.
THE BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY COMPANY.—The annual
soiree of the officers of the Birkenhead Railway was held
at the company's offices, Birkenhead, on 'Wednesday, the
25th inst. The board-room was tastefully decorated for
the occasion, There was a large attendance of ladies
and gentlemen, for whom a very excellent tea and sup-
per were provided; and in the early part of the evening
several gentlemen amateurs entertained the company
with vocal music. Dancing was kept up until a late hour
the following morning, when the party separated, having
expressed themselves delighted with the whole of the
proceedings. This is the first time the fair sex have
been introduced at the soirees; and the officers congra-
tulate themselves upon its success.
Loss OF A SCHOONER.—Yesterday afternoon, about
ten minutes to five, the look-out on the North Landing-
stage observed signals of a ship in distress from Bidston
Lighthouse. By five o'clock the life-boat was hauled
out and put on board the steam-tug Enterprise, which
immediately set off for the mouth of the river. In due
course a vessel was descried lying on the end of the
North Bank, near Spencer's-pit. The vessel proved to
be the schooner Major, Captain Sullivan, laden with
coals for Tralee. The life-boat was instantly manned,
but owing to the very heavy sea that was running, and
the shallowness of the water in consequence of the ebbing
of the tide, it was found to be very difficult to approach
the vessel. By dint of exertion, however, Capt. Martin-
dale and his crew managed ultimately to lay their boat '
alongside, and take off the captain and four men from
the schooner. They were suffering very much from cold
and wet ; and having been transferred to the Enter-
prise, were brought back to Liverpool. By the time
the steamer left, the schooner had become a total
wreck.
EXAMINATION OF MASTERS AND MATES FOR PILOTAGE
CERTIFICATES.—The Mersey Docks and Hat bour Board,
acting on a resolution they had come to in consequence
of the representations of the Board of Trade, gave notice
that yesterday the examination of masters and mates of
coasting steamers for pilotage certificates, under the
340th section of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1854,
would take place at the office of the Pilotage Com-
mittee. The authorities were in attendance for the
purpose, but we are informed that not a single master
or mate presented himself for examination. Candidates
will be received next Friday, and on every subsequent
Friday until further notice. _

TUCKERMAN INSTITUTE.—The first of a course of
lectures, in connection with this institute, was delivered
last night by the Rev. W. H. Channing. The subject
of the lecture was John Brown, and the interest which
such a subject excited, together with the well-known
ability of the lecturer, attracted a large audience. The
lecturer commenced his discourse by observing that
Englishmen were apt to fall into an error in considering
the progress of the anti-slavery movement in America.
Its growth was not traced by years, but by decades and
by centuries. The great movement which John
Brown had been the means of bringing out was
not, by any means, so sudden a one as might
be supposed ; it had been at work a considerable
time, but John Brown was the man who, in the Harper's
Ferry insurrection, brought the movement to a positive
and substantial form. The lecturer gave a detailed and
extremely interesting account of the parentage and
education of his hero. He showed that during his
whole life the all engrossing. idea with which his mind
was occupied, was the emancipation of the slaves. lie
also pointed out the firm will and christian spirit, which
characterised Brown's conduct throughout.—The lecture
was altogether one of the most entertaining and in-
structive ones which could possibly have been chosen
for an opening lecture.
GRAND POLYTECIINICA.L DISPLAY LAST NIGHT.—
Mr. Henry Iloffert delivered his second lecture, on
electricity, galvanism, and magnetism, last night, in
Clayton Hall, accompanied with numerous experiments,
aided by a very powerful battery. The programme
embraced the magnetising of soft iron and steel, by the
electric fluid,' with the application of electricity as a
substitute for steam; the effect of magnetic curves; as
obtained from water ; electro-typing, .or a farthing
transformed into a shilling ; the deflagration of gold, Sc.
—one of the most beautiful experiments which science
can afford; the combustion of iron—a strong piece of
iron being melted by its own latent heat—a most won-
derful experiment ; spirit-rapping exposed ; electric fish ;
whale fishing by galvanism ; galvanism as a cure for
disease ; and the electric light under water and in the
air. The audience was considerable, and the lecturer
was loudly and repeatedly applauded in the course of
the evening—the experiments being very successful,
and the whole of the apparatus of the most beautiful
' and appropriate kind. We feel
_quite convinced that
1 as the scientific powers of Mr. lloffert become more
generally known, they will be more particularly appre-
,ciated. He evidently is a gentleman thoroughly familiar
and acquainted with his subject, and he possesses not
alone the ability to grasp and master by acquirement
the properties of the subtle fluid electricity, but also
possesses the rare but happy aptitude of communicating
to others that knowledge which, by study, he has
treasured up in his own mind. We therefore invite
everybody to encourage him by their support and
attendance at his most instructive and entertaining
lectures this afternoon and evening.

TIIF. GOVERNMENT REFORM BILL. - The Scotsman
says :—" It is, we believe, more or less known that the
Reform Bill has been agreed upon in the Cabinet, and
that, though not at all " extreme" in its other provisions,
it includes a £6 occupancy franchise, per ct simple, in
boroughs,"