Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-18 00:00:00

FROM A CORAESPONDZNT.

NEW YORK, DEC. 4, 1857.
Sir's—BY the late accounts received from your
lii
we have intelligence of the commercial
lierllters and panic consequent upon the late crisis
ei It few rough notes upon which subject I sent
ftitlPer Adriatic, and would now submit a few
tier remarks upon the same topic and contin..
!tn
eireurnstances, as I think that any observe-
-4 from here will be read with interest with you,
ageing upon an event that is the mainspring of
oilrklancial revulsion.
The bid state of affairs with you is looked upon
1:1(Ist with complete apathy by the people hero;
„t: being your debtors, it matters little whether or
,tts"‘ their creditors fail ; and business is again
641141ing a fair position by slow degrees, rendered
more gradual by the universal desire to restrict
lawful credit system, and sell only for cash. I
business is resuming a fair position only, for,
I°lll the number Of extensions given of time,
It3' lug from six months to three years, it cannot
1t41.44.1 that matters have resumed a good standing
tll some of the engagements have run out;
littt,ktri the anomalous state of the bankruptcy
this city, debtors have been able in nearly
'fve‘ses to dictate their own terms. When a lure
it' themselves on the eve of suspension, time is
auded—etherwise, an extension of their notes—
.icit) if the creditors refuse, an assignment is
c e
of everything to one creditor, who pays him-
4'cllf first in full, and any attachments that may
4:8 been previously made, and finally divides the
o'Plus, if any, pro rata, amongst the general body
reditors. Thus, tilt), the creditors, rather than
ttt
the risk of an assignment being made to a
Preferred creditor or creditors, accept any terms
l er'd, for the chance of eventually obtaining
mritething out of the estate ; but this chance, in
°st cases, is slight, as houses, before asking for
t!teltsion, have generally " shaved" their available
lets at ruinous rates, to raise money.
4t ruay be worth while mentioning the excellent
tyyitern. that is the basis of bank note circulation in
Mate of New York, and which might be fol.
°Elea, with good result, by the English banks.
itetY note issued by the banks is secured by a
itell°Bit of securities with a public registrar ; thus
uatik wishing to issue 100,000 dollars has to
!ierit'sit about 105,000 dollars of State bonds, the
4gterest of which they receive, obtaining in this
ttitlltiller a regular interest on their capital, with the
lllase of that capital for banking purposes, for
ese notes are at all times considered as good, and
tee
red as cash. •
kt a glance it will be seen how admirably this
,itera must work in a young country short of
it?lital, and how well adapted it is to any country
N a safe security for investments exist—one
That,t has the confidence of the people.
he enclosed extract from the New York Herald
alt .esthil my reports upon the extravagant style of
1111-1 here.—l am, yours respectfully, A. F.
NZW YORK FASHIONABLE PROMENADE.

OUR FIFTH AVENUE,
Whoever has surveyed the Fifth Avenue of New York
need
u entertain no doubt whatever concerning the sources
Of
the
prcleit. Embarrassments. We venture to say that
b_ere is aot suc'a a scene of prodigality in all Europe. Toe
alevards of Paris may surpass it in the picturesque
rlic
a!tihificeneo of their sweep. The Regent's Park, London
*--ohl7eere each block of buildings forms one harmonious
—il appear more complete and in accordance with
each of
taste than the noted resort of our upper ten,
of whom makes it a point to raise his mansion as he
Chooses without the slightest consideration for the form
11.46 neighbaut's next door. The splendid esplanade of
'l4ton—where three miles of gorgeous edifices, when
;:ete from the sea, present perhaps the finest spectacle to
fa° Witnessed at present in the world—may have an aspect
khrpore romantic. But in point of external extravagance
41. internal magnificence ours surpasses the whole, and it
last besides be remembered that while the two last
named are chiefly of brick, the avenue consists either of
'garble or of equally expensive brown stone.
o,Let the re der cast his eye along this, or take a walk
er its vast extent of three miles, and—whether nativo or
ttroeao—he will be convinced of the truth of our
statement,,But even from the splendour of the outside
el.tBe°t he ill be able to form no idea of the extravagant
rfusion that reigns within. will find it difficult to
1):Ii?ve that actual or retired rumsellers, note-shavers,
el'al'lrs, and dust contractors, there exist in a style of
krigilificence such as is rarely to be seen in the palaces and
tlitocratic mansions of royalty and the oldest nobility in
ittae. Could he obtain a peep still further into the
°r, and observe our illustriousi codfish aristocracy in
tun. unsophisticated coodieloa at home, he would feel
emir that most of them would be infinitely more in
oreir natural element were they in their original log hu;
primitive kitchen.
4 'est him enter the interior and contemplate the gorgeous
tiltlY around He treads on carpets as soft and downy
That it is almost sacrilege to profane them with a footstep.
Nil, furniture of the apartments is either imported or
ell,'" after the most expensive models of Paris, London,
kt' Vienna. Pier glasses, each of which would constitute
oft 11)1 fortune for a poor family, adorn the walls; statuary
111 the richest order may there be seen, though the owner
Perhaps
ahapsno more taste for it than the British nobleman
turned from a European tour with the noses and ears
Mesas of the choicest statues in Europe in his pocket;
ll,' Paintings of the most gaudy hue, for which the owner
013 evidently paid infinitely more that " three and-
-14111e:10e a square foot" which Theodore Hook declared to
,
aura given in his day for American Titians and
11,44E1 Aneelos—notwithstanding that the lady of the
thtißae Possibly, could no more pronounce their names than
the"ife of the equally vulgar alderman who represented
111,, e.tlEbrated produetiou of Psyche by Mrs. Tighe, as
iYsic by Mrs. Tigg."
le, ha Upper part of the house is commensurate. After
filth through drawing rooms profusely decorated
vb,t,ll geld tinsel, dining rooms furnished with all the con-
libglences of the table fit for a Heliogobalus himself, and
liprlttles lavishly furnished with books which are
Oantly never read, we mount to the sleeping appart-
Neet
re
to,s of the edifice, end find that they consist of bed
es,,use—state bed rooms, grand bed rooms, family bed
tee,-,,tas) visiters' bed room!, and heaven only knows how
Other species of bed rooms—under the names of the
orlte bed roam, the yellow bed room, the blue bedroom,
tea crimson bed room—according to the predominating
are of the ornaments and trappings with which they
0e niched. All these appartments ate in general made
teltptlY to be looked at, not used. The owner of the
i;l6len occupies one of them—usually not the most gaudy
elCat it is evident that be would be much mere at home
4letittraw palliass, or in the box in which he originally
ikL under hie counter.
etc, "e divinity who presides over this establishment, how-
tet4? is of the most exqui,ite order. The husband may
traces of all his original coarsenev., but the lady is
iphiltled production of the superlative degree, She may,
toe,"" younger days, have been familiar with the ne.ys-
e-4-8 of sausage making, sourcrout, and capable of lending
eable baud on washing days. But all such accomplish-
tt
k4lB are banished now, and in their stead we find her
leteeetched upon an ottomar, deep in the enchantments of
keh-,
e sickly sentimental journal, or absorbed in the ravish-
V',B of same yellow-skinned novel. Shawls, furs, orna-
r;'P' and jewellery of the mos texpensive orde: bedeck or
her ; and, so inordinate is her attachment to
pf life We are informed, that unless she be past the meridian
hesitate if her husband will not supply them she will not
ll to seek and fad a gallant that will.
tbrtausly speaking, we think there is need of reform is
be ;lege matters. If the owner of these establishments
le, 9' northern oriein, and engaged in commercial pursuits,
tl,lB. driven into ruinous liabilities in order to maintain
144'1" If lie be a southern man, they cause many an addi-
le4" crook of the whip to be imposed on poor Sambo's
keeh, The reputation and welfare of the country were
foresnore effectually promoted when our edifices were
tG ii;comfortable and less gorgeous, and our habits more
'-ordanee with the ideas of republican simplicity.

THE VOLUNTARY RATE, 1833-4.

MEETING OF CONTRIBUTORS.

A meeting, convened by advertisement, of the con-
tributors of the Voluntary Rate, 1E53-4, was held, at noon
yesterday, in the Appeal Office, Brownlow-hill, for th,
purpose of appointing a committee to receive, from the
churchwardens of that year, the balance now standing to
the credit of that fund. On the motion of Mr. Denton,
the chair was taken by Mr. S. B. Jackson. There was a
very thin attendance, not more than 15 or 20 persons
being present. Among them were—Messrs. R. Hutchison,
C. F. Carne, Avison, Denton, Owen, Richardson, Atkins.
Roberts, K. Liversidge, Shakshaft, Howarth, Molyneux,
Critchley, Fagerty, and Hobbs.
The Chairman said : Gentlemen, I exceeding regret the
absence from town of our esteemed rector—a gentleman
well versed in all parochial matters, and unspeakably
better qualified for the discharge of the duties of chairman
of a meeting like this than I possibly could be. However,
having some knowledge of the matters that are to come
before us to-day. lat once respond to your call. Before
proceeding to the business of the day, I think it may be
better, in order that all gentlemen may have an
intelligible understanding of the position of affairs,
that I should give you a brief outline of the
history of this voluntary rate. You are aware
that it was the custom of the parishioners, so long as a
voluntary rate was asked for, to elect a committee
annually. No rate was asked for, however, in the year
1854, and no committee was then elected. It, therefore,
devolves upon us to do that to-day which some gentlemen
think ought to have been done at the annual general
Vestry held on the 2.51:h of April, 1843, when it was
resolved to ask the parishioners for a voluntary rate of
one penny ia the pound, for bringing into charge all
property within the parish, and for effecting an equitable
adjustment of the parochial burthens. It was resolved,
also, that the churchwardens and overseers, with the
following gentlemen, be a committee to receive, manage,
and apply the voluntary rate for the foregoing purposes.
In pursuance of that resolution, the committee being
formed, was styled the Equitable Rating Committee, and
it proceeded in the fulfilment of its mission, to endeavour
to bring under charge to the poor-rate the Dock and
Corporate estates. At a special general Vestry, held on
the 13th Sept., 1849, it was resolved unanimously, that
the Equitable Rating Committee were authorised to
advance, from the funds in their possession, such sums as
to them should appear reasonable, in support of measures
which gentlemen had taken to prevent, by injunction,
the borrowing of money on the security of the Corporate
estate for carrying out the Rivington scheme; and a
committee, called the Parochial Water Committee, was
then formed for that and similar purposes, viz.:—J• R.
Jeffery, Mr. Smith, T. Haigh, J .A. Picton, J. Denton,
J. Reav, Dr. Collins, C Greaw, A. Pringle, T. Avison,
C. Gillhave, and Mr. Woodherv.l. Another committee,
cal'ed the Parish Parliamentary Water Committee,
succeeded that, elected at the special general Vestry of
June, 1850, consisting of Messrs. Liversidge. Gage, Dr.
Grttam, Hobbs, Atkins, Laurie. Brown, and
Fagerty, to oppose the progress of the Pike scheme, in
its ultimate stages through the House of Lords, the
necessary funds for which were to be obtained from the
Equitable Rating Committee, on the presentation to them
of an order for funds from the chairman of the Parish
Parliamentary Water Committee for the time being. The
opinion of the ratepayers was much divided as to the
right of this committee to spend the voluntary rate at
that stage, hut they proceeded under the authority they
claimed, end, in the year 1851, they presented a claim,
through Mr. Gage, for £2.703. The Equitable Refine
Cemmittae were much impeded in their duty, and per_
Plexed by the claims of the Parish Parliamentary Water
Committee. For two years it engaged their attention at
no less th n thirty-five of their meetines. On one hand
they were legally advised not to recognise the claim, and
on the other there were the direct votes of two meetings
of parishioners. The claims were made in mass ulti-
mately some particulars and vouchers were made by the
Parish Parliamentary Water Committee ; and, under a
note of indemnity, the sum of A'1,650 were paid for what
,‘ seemed legitimate and reasonable" claims. At a meet-
ing of the parish, April 19th, 1852, on the election of an
Equitable Rating Committee for the ensuing year. the
following were declared the primary objections of the
said committee :

it was moved by Mr John Smith, seconded by Mr. M'Knicht,
and resolved—That the fo'lowing be the primary object of attent'on
on the part of the equltabJe ratinsr committee now appointed: First
to secure justice to all classes of the p,rishioners, by enforcing by
any lawful means the due valuation and rating or all property that
ought to cortributs to the parochial burthens. Secondly, to watch
all local and general applications to parliamen` that may affect the
interests of the parish ; to Promote such enactments as are calcu-
lated to bo beneficial, and to opp,se any that may appear prejudicial.
Thirdly, to afford assistance to such public objects and such persons
as the pa-Isis is interested in assisting on clearly oull'ic ground,:
but fur which purposes the low has not provided funds; any grant
of money. however, not being authorised until a majority of two-
thirds of the committee prese-,t, when duly convened, has recorded
a vote in favour of ent.ring upon the subject comarcted with it.
A report of the parish parliamentary water committee,
prekented to that meeting' byl Mr. P. S. Fage:•ty. was
rojeCted by the parishioners, as was also a motion by Mr.
Atkins for priority of payment of further claims by
members of the parish parliamentary water committee.
At a special meeting of parishioners, held on the sth of
April, 1553, a new committee was elected, and its name
was changed from that of the equitable rating committee
to that of the vo!urstary rate committee, and a rate of
one penny in the pound was approved " to he placed at
the disposal of the said voluntary rate committee."
With reference to the further claims of members of the
parish parliamentary water committee, it was at that
time resolved that they be referred to the voluntary rate
committee, to pay such sum as the committee might
think just and proper." After long and frequent inves-
tigations of such papers and hooks as were submitted by
the claimants, the following report was rendered, as a
finale of the vexed qaestion

The voluntary rate comm Dee, appointed by the narishloners in
general vestry assembled, on the sth April. 1853, pres,nt the
following report of their procsedings during the year ended 25th
March:—And, first, as to their financial transactions. During this
year they