Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-01-05 00:00:00

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NORTHERN TIMES

LAST WEEK WAS 71,322, GIVING AN AVERAGE OF

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OFFICE : 19, SOUTH JOHN-STREET,
December 13, 1858.

POPULAR HISTORY

WORKING CLASSES

EVERY SATURDAY,

YORTHERN DAILY TIMES

PRICE ONE PENNY

-THIS DAY

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, Su
TItEATRE ROYAL—Grand COnliC Pantomime
ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE—EngIish Opera Company
ST. GEORGE'S HALL—National Scottish Festival.
ALLSOP'S WAX WORK EXHIBITION (Lime-street).
LIVERPOOL SOCIETY OF FINE ARTS (Queen's Hall, Bold-street,
HENOLER'S CIRQUE VARlETE—Miscellaneous Attractions.
THE PARISIAN GALLERY OF ANATOMY, Paradise-street.
CLAYTON HALL—Carter's Mirror of American Scenery.
WT, For particulars see advertisements on last page.

TO CORRESPONDENTS

Under no circumstances can we insert communications not
accompanied by the author's real name and address, not neces-
sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

(1)t Dur4trn Eimts,

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY

5, 1859.

THE NORIHERN TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1859

dwelling-place for the working man is One of his
greatest trials, and it is as injurious to his spiritual
as to his bodily health. The crowding together of
a whole family in one room weakens domestic
virtue, destroys all self-respect, modesty—mark
that, gentlemen, and what it implies—and delicacy
of feeling, and utterly annihilates all opportunity
for self-improvement—a home which is miserable
from physical or moral causes, is the half-way
house to the gin-palace or beer-shop. The
working classes, I assure you," he emphatically
added, " when placed in proper houses, are as
remarkable for sober and domestic habits as the
inhabitants of our courts and alleys are for
drunkenness, immorality, and crime." No one
that knows any thing of the matter can gainsay
such a description as this, revolting though it be.
And the deleterious physical effects of such a mode
of do.mestic life were bad enough ; but its moral

results are infinitely more pernicious. Only too
truly is it said to, be the " the half-way house to
the gin-palace, or the beer-shop "—those haunts
of dissipation and demoralization of the working
classes—those portals to the vilest paths of infamy
and ruin—to the road that leads directly to the
gaol, and the gallows. It is probable that the
wretched man who closed his career of crime on
the scaffold, in this very town, last Saturday,
would never have been induced to lead a life which
had so infamous and so awful a termination, if he
had had, what but for the influences of such
habits as the prevalence of miserable dwellings
creates, he might have had, a comfortable home..
If that miserable culprit's circumstances could be
but reviewed in detail, we have no doubt it would
be found so.

The learned gentleman's description of the
homes of the poor to which he referred find their
counterpart, it is to be feared, only too exactly, in
our own town, when he says,—" At this moment,
during every hour of the day and the coming
night, how many rooms in the town of Hull are
rendered absolutely insupportable by cold, by
starvation, by uncleanliness—moral uncleanliness,
as well as physical ? What is the result ? Crowded
dram-shops, and thriving brothels, which cannot
be frequented but by those who, with every suc-
ceeding visit, become more and more• blindly
devoted to vice—to lust and intemperance ; and
also must necessarily resort to fraud and violence
to supply the means of guilty indulgence !" Yes ;
not only intemperance, but prostitution, he is con-
vinced, must be included in the consequences of
the comfortless homes of the labouring poor. He
thus reasonably and forcibly puts the case, as
respects prostitution :—" Let me ask whether the
cause, to which I have adverted, does not largely
contribute to the evil ? I mean a home made so
hateful by squalid filth, poverty, and want—abso-
lutely forcing immorality and crime on the
wretched inmates—that anything is preferable to
it ; and whether large allowances should not be
made by a wise humanity ?" There is no doubt of
it. Instances out of number, we believe, might be
found in this and every large town, as well as in
Hull, of such being the case. When domestic
virtue is impaired, and all delicacy of feeling is
outraged, and all sense of modesty is destroyed,
dud there is superadded the intolerable evils of
dirt, and disorder, and•squalor, and impovidence,
and want; what so natural, in the absence of all
restraining influences, as that the daughters of
such ill-conditioned; and wretchedly domiciled
families, should be tempted to prefer to such a
home the comforts even of a brothel ?

Liverpool, we say, is no exception in this
respect, to the general case of all large towns, and
more particularly sea-port towns. It is rather to
be feared, indeed, that it is one of the worst of
them. As one of our own clergy has lately shown,
with reference to this very evil, its condition,

along with that of other places, " is truly appalling
—a.aisgracc to civilisation." And his opinion,
founded on a•careful view of the whole subject, is
fully confirnied and coincided in by the Recorder
of Hull, when he declares, that " the time is fast
approaching when we must look these evils boldly
in the face." *

* Condition of Liverpool : Religious apd Social. By
the Rev. A. Hume, D.C.L., L.L.D.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

SUDDEN DEITH.—A woman, named Mary Gorman.
60 years of age, an inmate of the Workhouse, died sud-
denly in that establishment, on Monday night.

PERFUME OF TAE 3.II.STLETOE. —Has it any perfume?
.Why, certainly, the most insinuating, penetrating, aggra-
vating of all perfumes ! What, then, is it ? Why, the
perfume, so popular amonzst young ladies, called
" Kiss ME QUICK."

FATAL ACClDENT.—Yesterday, a man, named Henry
Murray, was at work on board a ship called the North
Briton, in the Wellington Dock, and, in consequence of
a fall, he died in the Northern Hospital 'yesterday fore-
noon. Inquests will be held in these cases to-day.
AUSTRALIAN PACKET " WRITE STA.."—This clipper
ship, which left Liverpool the evening of the 20th• August,
is reported at Melbourne 2nd November, and must have
arrived there on the previous -day. Her passage will
therefore have been 72 days, the quickest of the season.
The Champion of the Seas, the packet of the sth August,
from Liverpool, is reported at Melbourne 6th November
LANCASTER INSOLVENT COURT.—At the Court, held
on Friday, before John Addison, Esq., Judge, the
following cases were heard and adjudicated :—William
Williams, beer retailer, Liverpool ; John Barlow Williams,
nail and screw-bolt manufacturer, Liverpool ; Peter
Oswald Browne, agent and cart owner, Liverpool ;
Thomas Hastings Irwin, share broker Liverpool.—Out
of custody : Samuel Bridge, builder, Liverpool.
FlRE.—About ten o'clock, last night, the premises of
Mr. Dillon, broker, Pitt-street, was discovered to be on
fire. The fire originated in the window, in consequence
of the party lighting the gas not being careful how he
left it. The engine and reels from Hatton-garden were
soon on the spot, but their services were not required, as
the fire had been extinguished before their arrival. Very
little damage is done either to the stock or premises.
GARSTON LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. —TIIC monthly
meeting of this body was held yesterday, at the office of
the board, Garston. The following. members were
present :—Messrs. Morris (in the chair), Cooper, Tinue,
Chidson, 'McEntire, Lightbody, and Heald. The Law
Clerk havins read the reports and the minutes of the
last proceedings, same were confirmed. The business
before the board being of a routine description, was
transacted, and the board then adjourned.
ALLEGED MISCONDUCT OF AN AMERICAN MATE.—
Yesterday, the American Consul applied to Mr. Clough
for assistance to take the mate of an American ship (now
in the river) into custody on a serious charge. Mr.
Clough sent Mr. John Scott, one of the detectives, to the
vessel, for the ourpose of assisting the Consul's authori-
ties in taking. Off the mate, but up to the rising of the
Police Cour% there was no case brought before the
magistrates. We have heard the facts of the case, but as
the matter is sub judice, we refrain from saying more
about it to-day.
LIVERPOOL MARINE SOCIETY.--The annual general
meeting ottlais society, was held at the offices, Bank-
buildings Castle-street, at one o'clock, yesterday. Mr.
William Potterposided. Itr. Moss, neretag, read .the

ant.nal statement, from which' it appears that the present
annuitants are two captains, twenty-six widows, and
twenty-nine orphans. The balance in hand very little
varied from that of the preceding year, and the same
allowance to annuitants was recommended to be con-
tinued. The statement and the recommendation were
passed. The remainder of the proceedings was of a
merely formal character.
CLAREMONT LITERARY ASSOCIATION.—On Monday
evening last, the third of a course of twelve lectures,
being delivered under the 'auspices of this association,
in aid of the Sunday School Fund, was given by the
Rev. Charles Green, of Stanley, in the school room,
beneath the Claremont Independent Chapel, Kirkdale,
subject, " Dr. Arnold." There was a good attendance,
and as the manly character of " Education's Champion"
was strikingly and eloquently drawn by the reverend
lecturer the audience, by repeated applause, testified its
approbation. A vote of thanks to the lecturer was passed.
The chairman, Rev. W. C. Preston, announced Mr.
Thomas Snape, lecturer, subject " The Covenanters," for
the 17th current.
FUNERAL OF AN AMERICAN CAPTAIN. —A rather
unusual occurrence took place here yesterday—the
funeral of a respected American captain. On Sunday
night, Captain Thomas 11. Bell, of the American ship
Golden Cross, died, after a severe but not long illness,
and his remains were interred in the ground, called the
" American burying place," in the. Necropolis. The
funeral cortege was respectable, and amongst the.gentle-
men present, were—the American Consul, Messrs. John
Decosta, Mr. Pilkington (merchant), Captain Serey,
Captain Deering, Captain Coldwell, Captain Snow, and
many others, whose names we could not ascertain. The
deceased was 58 years of age, a native of the United
States, and was highly respected, and is now deplored by
all who knew him. Dropsy was the proximate cause of
his death.

RE-UrnoN —The employed& and workmen in the
establishment of Messrs. J. A. Forrest and Co., glass
merchants, Lime-street, held their annual re-union at
the King's Arms Hotel, St. John's-lane, on Monday
evening last. Mr. Forrest filled the chair, and Mr.
Robertson the vice-chair. After partaking of an ex-
cellent and substantial supper, supplied by Mr. Ford,
the usual loyal toasts were proposed by the chairman,
and drunk with all honours, after which the vice-
chairman proposed " Health and Prosperity to the firm
of Messrs. J. A. Forrest and C 0.," which was responded
to by those present with great enthusiasm. Due honour
was also given to Mr. Bromley, partner in the late firm
of. Forrest and Bromley. The meeting was enlivened
during the evening with a selection of instrumental and
vocal music, given by members of the establishment.
After spending a very happy evening, the meeting broke
up, all having been highly gratified with the
eliter tainmant.

• GRAND CONCERT AT WINDSOR CASTLE.-On Saturday,
her Majesty gave a grand concert, in St. George's Hall,
Windsor Castle, to a large party of the aristocracy and
visitors. The solo vocalists .were Miss Louisa Pyne, Mr.
Sims Reeves, Mr.Whiffin, Mr. Smythson, and Mr. Weiss.
Mr. Sims Reeves sang the air—

0 meadow clad in early green

Miss Louisa Pyne, as the May Queen, sang the solo—
With the carol in the tree,
And the blooming of the lea,
And the riot of the bee,
Is my merry reign begun.
Mr. Weiss, as Robin Hood, sang the ballad—

'Tis jolly to hunt in the bright moonlight
When a man can couch in the six-foot fern !
And the cold crisp air of the autumn night
Makes the outlaw's faggot more clearly burn.
After prayers (Heaven bless him!) the fat red priest
Talks big of his park, as he sits at his feast ;
There is not an abbot from sea to sea
But keepeth the best of his deer for me !
At the conclusion of the concert the artistes were com-
plimented, by direction of her Majesty and her di,-
tinguished guests, for their talented exertions.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.—The monthly meeting of
the Council was held yesterday ; Christopher Bushell,
Esq., President, in the chair Regulations as to the
Import of Salt into India: It was referred to the Cus-
toms Committee, to consider and report upon the desira-
bleness of memorialising the Government on this subject.
Cental System of Weights: The following resolution was
agreed to: "That this Chamber recognise the commer-.
cial importance of the arrangements now made for the
adoption of an uniform weight of 100 lbs. (called the
centall, for the sale of grain, meal, and flour, in the
markets of Liverpool, Glasgow, and Hull, in lieu of the
various and. incommensurable weights hitherto in use in
those markets, and refers it to the Commercial Law Com-
mittee to consider and report whether it is expedient for
this Chamber to take any, and, if any, what steps in rela-
tion to this movement, and, in particular, whether it is
not desirable to have weights of 5 lbs., 10 lbs., 25 lbs.,
and 50 lbs., stamped as legal." Itnportation of Salt into
China: A letter from the Foreign Office was read,
stating that the attention of Mr. Bruce, the Ambassador
to the Chinese Court, would be directed to this question.
It was referred to the Communications 'Committee to
prepare the report, to be laid before the annual general
meeting.

ORATIONS BY MR. T. MASON JONES.—We would
direct especial attention to a notice appearing in our
advertising colums to-day which announces that three
lectures are to be delivered in Hope Hall, next week, by
a very rising young orator, Mr. T. Mason Jones, of
Trinity College, Dublin. So infinite a number of lectures
are announced and delivered to the Liverpool public every
season that we should, in ordinary circumstances, hesitate
before preluding any new comer with recommendations
of our own. But we have seen in so many English
provincial newspapers, notices of Mr. Jones' lectures,
delivered in towns to which that gentleman was previously
a total stranger, and which exhibit such a singular con-
currence in enthusiastic eulogy, that we cannot but
believe any man, who produces effects of such a character,
to be wholly out of the common path of ordinary
lecturers. More than this ; although we cannot
speak of the lectures now announced, and which
we have not yet heard, we know Mr. Mason
Jones to be a man of original and uncom-
mon talents, of high cultivation, and of a singular
fitness for the position of a public lecturer. Mr. Jones
possesses an oratorical power of a character as genuine
as it is now rare ; a rich fancy, and almost exhaustless
command of the most eloquent language. Mr. Jones is
following the vocation for which his gifts and his acquire-
ments precisely fit him, and even in a town like this,
where unceasing lecturers dry up almost 411 feeling of
interest among the public, cannot fail to animate with
fresh and warmly-roused emotions of sympathy and plea-
sure any audience which he addresses: We therefore
add, without hesitation, our warmest recommendation to
the many others Mr. Jones brings with him. The
subjects of the lectures are, "Swift and his Critics ;"
" Curran and the Wits and Orators of the Irish Bar ;"
and " Milton, the Patriot, Statesman, Prosewriter and
Poet."

THE NATIONAL ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.—Last
evening, this order, which is making great strides in
Liverpool, held a meeting at the Concert Hall, Lord
Nelson-street. It was a meeting of all the Lodges in the
town combined, and upwards of 150 persons sat down to a
most excellent and substantial dinner, provided by Host
Charles Chalk, of the Star and Garter Hotel, Queen's-
square. To say that the dinner was grand, would only
be complimenting the caterer; therefore, all we can say
is that it was worthy of the occasion, and did honour
to the host who provided it. The members present having
" satisfied the inner man," and done justice to the good
things provided, Mr. Michael O'Hara (P.P. G.M.), took
the chair, being supported in the vice-chair by Mr.
Hilton, P.G.M. Before the business of the evening was
proceeded with, the chairman read letters of apology
from Messrs. T. J. Ousley, Herald, W. Browne, M.P.,
T. A. Picton, G. Melly, James Johnson, Bramley-Moore,
M.P., and J. R. Jeffery, the latter *excused himself by
saying, that " to-morrow is Council day, and
I have some wish to prepare." The chairman
then gave the usual loyal and patriotic toasts,
which were drank with enthusiasm, the company
being upstanding. Then followed " Prosperity to the
town and trade of Liverpool," and then " The National
order of Independent Odd Fellows," which was responded
to by P. P. G. M. MacCrellan, who gave a history of the
order, from its rise in Liverpool, in 1839, when it left the
" Manchester Unity," disgusted with their proceedings ;
and since then they had established no less than 51
districts, in which were 324 lodges, and 21,686 members,
and depicted the general progress of the order in
England, and also Australia, and concluded by hoping
that the "hand of odd-fellowship would never be troubled
with the cramp." This was most heartily responded to.
A party of glee singers added considerably to the amuse-
ment of the evening, by sonic excellent glees and catches,
sung with good taste and feeling. The evening's
amusement was much enjoyed.
LIVERPOOL CO-OPERATIVE PROVIDENT ASSOCIATION.—
The annual festival, in connection with this association,
was held last evening in Hope Hall, Hope-street. The
tea was provided in the school-room, to which a good
number sat down. At eight o'clook the company ad-
journed to the upper hall, where singing and speaking
commenced. Mr. John Wilson, president of the associa
tion, occupied the chair, and Mr. George Holden presided
at the pianoforte. The proceedings were opened by a
solo on the pianoforte, entitled the " Wedding March."
The chairman then addressed the meeting., and stated the
objects of the society. There had been many men in Liver-
pool lately, he said, who were connected with every
movement which had for its object the imveMent
of the moral and social condition of the people ; but if
there was one thing more distinctly than another proved
by all the experiments that had been made, it was the

hearty co-operation of those whom it was sought to
influence. The founders of the Provident Association
commenced that society some years ago, with the avowed
object of improving those who might become its members.
The end and aim of the founders was not simply to
enable people to purchase their goods at a farthing per
pound cheaper than they could purchase them else-
where, although that was a consideration worthy of
attention. The object of the founders of that
society was to improve the habits and dispositions
of those people who might become its members—habits
of care, forethought, and economy, with the incidental
advantages of having groceries, clothing, and other
articles of a good quality, and at as reasonable a rate as
they could purchase them elsewhere. In Liverpool they
had 600 members, and their principal store was at 15,
Camden-street; but they had other branch establish-
ments in various parts of the town, both north and south.
lie compared Liverpool to Rochdale, where the store in
that town supplied nearly the whole of the inhabitants.
The societyi however, were not going to stop where
they were, for they dreamt of having large
warehouses, in which to place their stores ; they
also dreamt of having ships, and sugar plantations,
in which to grow their own sugar ; at all events, they
did not intend to stand still in their present condition.
(Applause.) A number of songs, -recitations, Ice. were
then given, the whole of the singers acquitting them-
selves iu first-rate style, the audience testifying their
approbation by frequent bursts of applause. A vote of
thanks to the Chairman and singers terminated the
proceeding.

PRAISRiVORTHY CONDUCT OF AN AMERICAN CAPTAIN.
—The ship James Foster, jun., Captain F. Abeel, just
arrived here (returned), has had a miraculous escape.
She was out, from Liverpool for New York, over fifty
days, and encountered the most severe weather on record,
as it was almost a hurricane from the time she left Cape
Clear until her return to Cork. The length of time she
was out shows what she must have gone through ; and
as much anxiety prevails amongst the friends of the
passengers who were on board, we feel satisfaction in
laying the following facts (which may be relied on),
before the public. It may be premised that it is very
gratifying to find that the brave commander of this ship
has acted so nobly and humanely towards the passengers
(over 300), and exerted himself so as to bring back the ship
safe for his owners and the underwriters. Such conduct
should not go unrecorded, and probably will not remain
unrewarded. The ship, after battling with the gale
until off the banks of Newfoundland, was nearly lost,
but the commander, with a degree of energy and cool per-
severance, by his example, kept up the crew and
passengers with strong hopes. The tiller, however, was
broken, and a fine young man, named Jesse J. Marden,
a native of Newhampshire, who was at the wheel, had
his arm smashed in pieces, above the elbow. The captain
treated him with the greatest kindness, and attended to
him until he arrived here (the wonder is he did not die
of mortification), when he had him removed to
respectable lodgings, and a surgeon was sent for,
who attended to the arm properly, and the young
man is now going on favourably, and Mr.
John Decosta, has attended to the young man, in a
pecuniary point of view, so that he wants for nothing.
We have conversed with several of the passengers, and
they speak of the captain with gratitude which
seems unbounded. They say that they owe their lives
(under God) to his ceaseless exertions, and that he be-
haved like a father to them all. When the ship arrived
off Cork, he, as soon as possible, procured a steamboat,
and forwarded as many passengers as wished to Liverpool,
but many remained with him, having every confidence
in his skill, humanity, and attention. In Cork he
ordered payment to a number of passengers who
had assisted in working the ship, such as pumping,
&c., and very many of the people speak with
with tears of gratitude in their eyes of the captain. With
the exception of poor Marden, and some half-dozen
slight accidents, all arrived safe here. This is a proof
of the zeal and talent of Captain Abed, for by his
exertions and the blessings of providence, the lives of
nearly 400 persons were preserved, and the ship brought
back safely, under unheard of pressure. If any man
ever deserved praise and something more, Captain Abeel
is that man. The consignees of the ship (Messrs. Baring.
Brothers), had made prompt arrangements for the con-
veyance of the passengers, and have liberally attended to
their wants and comforts here.

MATRINONIAL FRACAS EXTRAORDINARY.-On Satur-
day, Harriet Ellen Allen, a person about thirty years-
of age, of lady-like exterior and address, appeared
before Mr. Hammill, at the Worship-street (London)
Police Court, under the following peculiar and delic ate
circumstances. On Thursday last three men, named.
Slade, Cole, and Cunning, were charged at this court with
being found in inclosed gardens at No. 6, Hepzediah-
terrace, Dalston, for an unlawful purpose. The fact was
proved by one of the servants, and in answer
the prisoners one and all gave this account of the
matter. They were playing at skittles in the neigh-
bourhood of Whitechapel a few nights since, when a
gentleman, who stated his name to be Mortimer, and
who described himself a solicitor, joined them, and
offered a job They. were to proceed in his company to
Dalston, and assist in the abduction of a child from a
house there. The mother was to knock at the street-
door, rush in, and, having secured her object, retreat
by the back garden, where they were to be concealed
in readiness to act should any resistance be shown.
To this arrangement the three and others assented
a bargain was struck - and, on the night in question,
all repaired to the house of Mr. Mortimer, No. 7,
llepzediah-terrace, Dalston, where they saw a lady,
named Allen, who asserted that she was the-
mother of the child to whom reference had been made;
and it was by the desire of her and the gentleman alluded
to that they acted as stated, and were found in the garden
adjoining, while making their way to No. 1, where the
child was residing. This statement of the prisoners
naturally excited considerable astonishment, and the
magistrate was ordering inquiries to be made by the
police, when Inspector Langdon, N division, entered,
and said that a person giving ie name of Mortimer
had applied at the station-house at Kingslaud for
the release of the three men, who, he alleged, had
acted by his orders, and added that he was resolved to
have a child away from a house adjacent to his own. The
inspector asserted that this man, who declared he was a
solicitor, had acted most indecorously, and was apparently
half intoxicated. At this juncture Mr. A. Lovell,
attorney, of Gray's-inn, addressed the bench, and observed
that he could throw some light on the matter. He
believed that the prisoners at the bar had no intention to
commit a burglary, •but actually to assist in the abduction
of Mr. Allen's little boy, three years of age, from his
father's roof, No. 1, Hapzediah-terrace ; which gentle-.
man was now present to make application for a warrant
against his wife, she having threatened his life. Mr.
Allen hereupon stepped forward and made a representa-
tion, which resulted in the warrant being granted for the
apprehension of the lady upon the following information
received upon his oath My name is Thomas Allen.
I am a military equipment manufacturer, carrying
on business in the Strand, and residing in Mepzediah-
terrace, Dalston. lam now living, at this present
time, apart from my wife, and have instituted a suit for a
divorce on the ground of her adultery. Since the com-
mencement of the said suit she has met me on several_
occasions, and threatened and annoyed me. About a
month ago she followed me, got into my cab, and said she-
would not allow me to live to have another woman. She
drew out a pocket knife and was passing it across my throat
when I took it from her, and cut my own hand in the act..
She then left me. This morning I saw her outside my
house. She said I was a coward,' and dared me to•
approach her. I apprehended bodily harm from her
violence." The lady, who was now defended by Mr.
Thomas Beard, said her husband was a trunk maker, and
not what he had alleged; that she had neither directly
or otherwise authorised the three men to act as they
declared she had done ; and called upon her solicitor to
refer to matters with which she had furnished him. Mr.
Lovell stated that the lady had succeeded in getting one
child from the care of her husband, although the Court
of Divorce had adjudged that the father should keep
possession of both ; that she was allowed £5 a week,
paid regularly to her, and yet was continually subjecting
her husband to threats and annoyance. In June last a
razor was found under her pillow. Mr. Beard con-
tended that the Court alluded to merely refused to in-
terfere with respect to the children while the case was
in abeyance ; and with respect to this proceeding
against Mrs. Allen, it was clearly for the purpose of pre-
judicing the proceedings in that superior court. He
would show that the compiainant had no right to make
reference to former alleged misconduct ; and if it were
permitted to him to interrogate the husband of the lady,
according to his instructions, the conduct of the com-
plaining party at the present moment might probably
appear ill a very unenviable light ; but this, of course,
could not be, although the wife's evidence was admis-
sible in the Court of Divorce. The complainant
was then cross-examined, and admitted that he had
cohabited with his wife until the 6th of Septem-
ber last, it being understood that the alleged adultery
occurred on the 31st of August in the same year.
Two witnesses, a cab driver and servant maid, were called
to prove that on the morning in question, no threatening
language was used by the defendant, who was stated
merely to have held up her finger, and declared Mr. Allen
was a coward for not allowing her to see her child. Mr.
Hammill observed that this wo satisfactory, and he should
dismiss the warrant. Any reference to preceding matters
would be noticed in the court, at which both parties
must, in due course, appear. The three men were also
discharged, with a caution not to interfere in such delicate
matters again.

AUSTRALIA.

We have received letters and papers from Mel-
bourne, dated Nov. 19, and from Sydney, Nov. 11.

The following summary of news is from thu
Melbourne Commercial Report :
MELBOURNE, Nov, 15, 1858.

There is but little commercial news of interest to

report for the past month.
At this time of year there is generally considerable

activity in trade, as the summer season is the most im-
portant one in point of demand, and all classes of the
trading community are confidently expecting and pre-
pared for a favourable movement in business. Instead of
that seasonable demand there appears to be a settled
dullness, from which even the large consumption going
forward, and the movements of a few speculators, afford
no relief, so great are our stocks, and so constant and
heavy the arrivals, that but little difference is perceptible,
erchants, as usual, are complaining of the
absence of business, and the want of profit attending
their operations. In fact, it is extremely doubtful if, for
the past two years, importing has been a profitable
Lusiness. •

and the

Stable's circular advises us of the overpowering ship-
bleats being made from England and elsewhere ; but,
large as they are, they fall far short of the actual quanti-

in this city

We are not only overstocked with goods, but also with
and traders, and too little capital to' support
result of which is, that in order to keep up a
sad position to induce consignments, in too
many instances erroneous statements of the market are
sent home, false hopes of improvement and profit are
held out to shippers, and so month after month we have
the same tale to tell of glutted markets, and the same
unprofitable results to exhibit

of our shopkeepers and up-country traders,
taking advantage of the fall in prices, have'laid in large
stocks of goods at the reduced rates, more than their
ordinary trade requires, prices continue to fall, and
they find themselves with large stocks purchased at

higher rates than those ruling in the mallet. Com-
etition and very high rents have reduced their
profits, and they experience great difficulty in meeting
their engagements. They are, therefore, not in a posi-
tion to enter into mach greater liabilities; extraordinary
high rates of interest are paid for loans, money becomes
tight, extreme caution is exercised in giving credit, and
the baneful effects of this system of overtrading is long
felt throughout the colony. Very much of the depression
we are now suffering from may 'be traced to the extraor-
dinary system of indenting lately practised, and the
facilities for inordinate speculation given to men who,
possessed of bat small means, havinz, little to lose, are
reckless of consequences, go in to win largely, or lose a
little. The severe losses lately sustained by many of the
firms giving these facilities, will, we trust, check this
unwholesome system for the future.

To account for the continued excess is shipments from
home, in the face of the heavy losses so long sustained,
and the repeated warnings given, is almost impossible.

It was forMerly the custom Of a few merchants' to ship
immediately on receipt of advices of a glutted market, as
the majority got alarmed and ceased to ship, and the
result was generally satisfactory, as the market had time
to clear itself, and so left the few a fair margin of profit ;
but TIOW it appears the rule is for all to continually act
upon :this principle. •
The sales effected by auction have been comparatively
small, with the exception of a heavy sale of brandies and
ether spirits, at much lower prices than those previously
ruling, the holders being anxious to quit their stocks
before the advice of the shipments of the new season
brandies (which are anticipated to be heavy) are received.
The telegraph was opened through from Melbourne to
Sydney on the 30th ult., which has: already had the effect
,et assimilating prices in the two markets, and will
'doubtless be of great benefit to both colonies. The mail
ffrom England, due on the 6th inst., has not yet arrived.
Great anxiety is felt for the advices to be received
-respecting the new postal service, as the inconvenience
,and loss sustained by the irregularities of the late service,
it is hoped, will be remedied in the new arrangement.
The advices of an improvement in the English wool
market have had a very cheering effect.; as many of our
merchants are largely interested. There has been con-
siderable competition at the recent wool sales, and very
full rates have been (riven, in anticipation, we presume,
of a further rise otherwise unwarranted in our opinion
by prices ruling at home.
The extraordinary excitement connected with Port
Curtis has completely.died away, .the reported rich gold
fields having proved .ft failure, and after experiencing
much suffering, the greater portion of those who landed
have returned, whilst ship loads of passengers have come
back without setting foot on. shore, several vessels going
• only as far as Sydney, and on receipt of the bad news
have set sail for Hobson's Bay. There are still a few
prospecting at Port Curtis, hoping to discover a paying
gold-field. This was, -perhaps, one of the most extraordi-
nary and sudden manias ever witnessed, some thousands
of people rushing away to a tropical climate, upon the
strength of a mere rumour. As if in counteraction to the
Port Curtis mania, new and rich gold-fields are being
discovered in Victoria, which will eventually attract a
considerable population to our port. Large finds of golds
are advised as having been made at Buninyong, in New
South Wales.

The disputes between the shareholders and directors of
the National Bank of Australasia continue, 'Out there is
not the same spirit and determination to oppose .the
directors manifested, and we expect ere long to see the
opposition die away, and the bank take that favourable
position which it promised at its commencement. The
bank is now open for business, and has lately opened a
:branch at Echuca, and is about to open one at Adelaide.
It is feared the unseasonably hot weather we hate
lately

I will have caused serious damage to our crops
in fact, we are advised that such has been the case it

many of the country districts.
The money market is still tight, and it is difficult to
~discount any but really first-class bills.

The greatest caution is used by merchants in giving
credit, which, although it restricts business operations,
must eventually be productive of beneficial results.
The arrivals of oats during the past and previous
months have been unusually large. From Sept. 11 to
Oct. 2 they were 210,984 bushels ; from Oct. 2 to Oct:
30 they were 120,300 bushels—Total, 331,194 bushels.
Our stocks are exceedingly heavy, and the quantities
known to be on the way very considerable. It is
thought that California, Russia, the Baltic, and other
northern ports will supply us with considerably more
than we expect; so that although a small advance

has been marde- upon late prices by a few speculators,
and others interested in keeping the market up, we

scarcely think it will be permanent. The favourite
horse-feed has been Californian oats, the consumption
of which has greatly increased, and several large parcels
have changed hands lately, at ss. to ss. 3d. ; and but
little doing in Scotch and Irish. Other descriptions of
horse-feed have been quite neglected. Within the last
Week the arrivals have been very heavy, besides large
parcels by almost every vessel arriving. The Dream
brought 30,000 bushels, although the published manifest
showed only 3,000 bags. The Koenig Willem 11., from San
Francisco, in on the 9th, had 34,000 bushels, and more
is to follow. The cargo of the Carrie Leland was sold,
in Sydney, at about 4s. per bushel At the rates quoted
in San Francisco, viz., $1 55c., oats would pay to sell
here at 55., consequently we may expect shipments to
continue. The Beau Monde, 1,017 tons, arrived in the
bay on the 11th instant, from San Francisco.
..,rhe banks lowered the rate of exchange on the 2nd
to par for sixty days sight bills on London, and
purchased at
A new co 1 per cent. discount.
commercial er is about to be published, to be
called the Nell)
Melbourne Economist.

the above was written, advices have been
1, via Sydney, stating that a very large amount of
shipping had been laid on at San Francisco for these
colonies, and that oats were being shipped very heavily,
one vessel alone bringing about 60,000 bushels.