The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-27 00:00:00

THE NEW AUSTRALIAN CLIPPER SHIP,
SARAH DIXON.

We may well exclaim in regard of new and mighty ships
that diurnally enter our waters, and add not only to the
strength of our mercantile navy but to the renown of our
vessels, " The cry is still they come !" Yes; they c
to delight our eyes, and gladden our hearts, for they are
fabrications to be proud of. Amongst the last arrivals
of this description is the clipper ship Sarah Dixon, just
come here from St. John's where she was built and
launched last fall by the eminent naval architects,
Dixons, whose success in modelling and executing the
work of the finest ships, is now well known and appre•
elated in the trade. On the Sarah Dixon nothing has
been spared that could make her not only a first-c ass
ship in reality, but also one of the most attractive
looking vessels that can be seen. There is much, no doubt,
in such it•gredients, but, after all, if a vessell possess not
the substantial qualities that render life and property
secure, there is nothing worth noting. Pleasurable as it
always is to record an addition to our fleet of matchless
merchantmen, we feel that the Sarah Dixon is entitled to
a large participation of our feelings in that respect. Besides
being a noble-looking ship, she has many qualities to render
a notice of her desirable. As she is intended for the
Australian trade, we may just look over her 'tween decks,
which are destined for third-class and intermediate passen-
gers, and say that she is the tallest and best ventilated ship,
in this particular, that we ever saw ; from ceiling to fluor
being upwards of nine feet. So far as we are concerned,
our attention is always directed to the comforts and con-
venience of this class of passengers—for two reaeons, they
are the most numerous and less healthy of emigrants,
and, therefore, should be taken more care of
than such as possess the means to furnish themselves
with everything that wealth can produce. The berths in
this part of the ship are ample, light, and thoroughly ven-
tilated. The dining departments correspond, and afford
advantages seldom to be met with. There is a poop deck,
and cabin seventy feet long, a portion of wsich is appro-
priated for second-class passengers, and with the excep-
tion that the grand salon is some what more costly fur-
nished, this part of the ship may be fairly said to be fully
as pod (and out of a hundredinstances vastly superior) as
any of the splendid clippers that ever sailed from this to
the Antipodes. She has this advantage also, that above and
around this house, there are fine promenades, whence air
and exercise can be enjoyed at all times, with, ut
exposure to wind or rain, should such prevail. The
grand cabin contains everything both for ornament and
use that can be found in the best regulated drawing roams.
It is magnificently decorated and enamelled—picked out
in white and gold, in the best style of marine art. 'ln
connection with all the cabins are bath-rooms, closets, &c.,
so that nothing has been left undone, and one would
almost be induced to think that the Sarah Dixon was
built rather for a model house, than a noble floating ocean
home. The first and second-class houses on deck are
constructed to accommodate 120 passengers, and the third
and intermediate cabins 350, and when we cane to look atthe
dimensions of the ship, and calculate the number she
might carry, according to act of parliament, it will be
observed that the owners and agent here accorded nearly
double the space (legally set down) for each passenger.
The ship is 205 feet long ; thirty-nine feet beam,
and twenty-six feet deep from spare deck down.
Her registered tonnage is 1,468, but from her great sto,w-
age capacity will carry nearly 3,000 tons on an easy
draught of water. She was built for Messrs. Blythe,
Brothers ; and nothing has been spared to render her a
perfect model. Mr. J. M. Walthew, Australian
emigration agent, has the management of this
beautiful and noble ship ; and, as one of the
celebrated " Mersey line," she is certain to become
favourite A.l. Her domestic arrangements and victualling
departments are faultless, and the latter is amply provided
for, and of the best materials. This leviathan is under the
command of Captain Salt, and when it is stated that this
gentleman formerly commanded the successful ship
Albatross, it will be enough, as he is justly estesmed as
an able sailor, and a gentleman also. The Sarah Dixon
made such a fine passage here,that she has already become
a favourite, and most part of her cargo was sent to tha
dock before she got into her berth. Oar remarks will be
folly borne out, in all respects, by those who wish to see
the last ship added to our fine Australian fleet.

THE COMET AND THE PRUSSIAN WEAVERS.—SOMO
amusement has been caused to-day (Friday) by the fact,
reported in letters to merchants, that among the educated
Prussian people a great many weavers have ceased to work,
because the world is to be destroyed by a comet in the
course of a few weeks, and they may as well sneni their
few remaining days in the luxury of idleness. This is said
to be actually preventing orders being given by manufac-
turers for yarns.—Manchester Guardian.
FATAL BOAT RACE.—On Saturday evening, a young
man, named Edwin Mewton, aged 21, clerk to Mr. Hackett.
barrister, of King's B3ncb-walk, Temple, lost his life
whilst engaged in a boat race. He bad agreed to row a
fellow-clerk from Westminster to Blackfriars-bridge, for
ss. The start took place about six, and on approaching
Blackfriars, Mewton was considerably a-head of his com-
petitor. On reaching the bridge, the ebb tide being very
strong, he had some difficulty in rounding his boat, and
at the same moment the swell of the Lotus steamer sent
the water into his boat, aad washed off one of the sculls.
In his attempt to reach it the boat capsised, and before
assistance could be rendered the poor fellow sank and
perished. His body was not recovered, owing to the
rapidity of the tide.
MANNERS Or THE CIRO ASSIANS.—Their mode of saluta-
tion is by raising the right hand to the head, and some-
times lifting their caps. It is also a mark of high respect
to kiss the hand of a stranger of distinction, - and place it
on the forehead. They strike together in token of amity;
and females part from each other by a gentle embrace with
their right arms, and then a clasping of their right hands.
While in addressing each other, the men make use of what
we call the Christian name, and whatever the difference of
rank, treat each other generally with the familarity of
brothers. Still, they never fail to do honour to a chief by
half rising from their seat on his entrance into a room,
and by standing up erect in case he be of superior age.
If, however, while sitting at meat he at any time decline
the proffered bowl of mead or wine, it will very likely be
offered to any elderly serf who may be standing by, though
clothed in raga ; nor would any guest at the feast disdain
to add to the gift a portion from his own dish of meat or
pastry. This respect for age, taking the place of that for
rank, runs through the whole style of Circassian manners.
The decision of an aged man settles all minor controversy;
when he speaks in the coundlering the most loquacious
keep silence ; if in anger he strike a blow even, it is not
returned ; wherever he moves the crowd make way for
him ; in winter his is the warmest corner by the fireside ;
in summer the young girls spread his mat on the verandah
and fan his slumbers ; it is an honour to light his
chiboque ; when he wishes
,to ride, every one is ready to
saddle his steed, and a dozen lads run to help him down
on his return. " Doubly accursed," says the Circassian
proverb, " is the man that draweth down upon himself
the malediction of the aged ."—American Publication.

ASSAULT IN A CHURCH' —On Monday, three young men,
named William Parker, Edward Woodhead, and William
Hunt, apprentices in the shop of Mr. Woodhead, grocer,
High street, Chesterfield, were brought up at the Town
Hall, Chesterfield, in answer to a summons charging them
with assaulting Jahn Cowley, the beadle of the Chesterfield
Parish Church. The magistrates present were Mr. W.
Hewitt (the ex-mayor) and Mr. Heathcote. The de-
fendants and Mrs. Woodhead, for about six weeks,
occupied a pew which had been vacated by Mr. Cooper of
Chesterfield, who had removed to Kowsiey. On Sunday
morning week, Cowley, the complainant, was placed at
the entrance of the pew to prevent any person from going
into it, except Mr. Gillett, to whom it had just been!allotted
by the churchwardens. About ten minutes past ten o'clock,
Mrs. Woodhead entered the church and was refused ad-
mittance ; the defendants entered afterwards, and the
beadle maintained his position, and when Parker at•
tempted to enter he pnshed him back. Parker took hold
of the be )dle and swung him round out of the seat, and he
and the young men took possession of it. Mr. Bagley,
for the defendants. contended that the magistrates had no
jurisdiction, as it was a matter affecting the title to the
pew. Mr. Gratton submitted that the bench might
adjudicate upon it as in the case of any other assault. The
bench fined Parker 6s. and costs, and dismissed the case
against Woodhead and Hunt. Mr. Basley said the de.
fendant Parker would not pay the money, and he should
apply for a criminal information against the magistrates
on the ground that their proceedings were null.
The Prince of Prussia is a fine-looking young man, in
height about five feet nine inches. His deportment is
exceedingly dignified and graceful. His complexion is
naturally Lair, although his face is slightly browned by
out-door sports and exercise. He has light hair, cut very
close, a still lighter moustache, which runs into a thin
light whisker, and does not conceal a pair of large red lips.
His nose is long, and Lien Frononoe, his eyes are blue, and
his face is of the somewhat broad German type. An air of
command seems habitual to him, and it is clear he has
been etlncated in view of his high destiny as the probable
future monarch of a great European kingdom. Speaking
of his appearance at the Derby last year, a gossipping
country contemporary thus described him :—" He was
dressed like a young Englishman, .in compliment to the
people among what he has come to seek a bride. There
is somethin!hbout an English hat, with its small flat brim,
which pronounces its nationality far and wide, and an
Untistakeable specimen was selected by the young Prince
'for his debut. He also wore one of those blue check cravats
• I which English country gentlemen frequently affect. The
• Prince seemed pleased with the slightest mark of courtesy,
and was quick to acknowledge it-' —ltlustroM