Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-11 00:00:00

CANADA.

The Mail Steamer North American, which sailed
hence on the 'lsth ult., arrived at Quebec in ten
days. The passengers were landed at the Grand
Trunk Wharf, and proceeded by the 13 a.m. train
for Montreal and Toronto. The letters by the
Asia, of the 11th, had not then reached Quebec.
Thera was more commercial activity, although this
is the dull season of the year. A. heavy easterly
gale had done serious damage to the shipping in
the St. Lawrence, and to the wharves at Quebec ;
on the city side some were entirely destroyed, and
would have to be rebuilt. Owing to the site
selected by the South Quebec Dock Company being
sheltered from these periodical visitations, the
Grand Trunk riailWay are about to lecate their
goods terminus and connect it with this new har-
bour accommodation and ocean shipping, which
will cause considerable changes to. take place iu
the shipping business of the port and of the pro-
vince •
THE GRAND TRUNK BRIDGE.—We have heard a good
many doubts expressed as to the probability of the prose-
cution of this important .work. It has been befleced by
sine that the funds would not be forthcoming, and that
nothiug would be done for the bridge during the present
season. We are rejoiced at having it in our power to put
these fears at rest. The contractors have been for some
time•at work on new piers extending into the river on
both banks, beyond the outermost of the piers complete:l
last season, and b 4 fare the winter closes in, a specimen will
be exhibited of the character of the superstructure. Pre-
paraticns are rapidly going forward for the laying of the
first girders, or tube of those which are to form the spans
of the arches, and the Montrealers will shortly have the
satisfaction of seeing a portion of the structure comphted
in a permatnent manner. Part of the iron for the tubes
which form the girders has arrived from England, and
some of it will be speedily put in.o shape, and raised to
s permanent position.—Montreal Herald.

THE ISLAND OF FortmosA.—According to private letters ;
received at Bremer, by the last mail from Hong Kong, the I
Americans have occupied the island of Formosa, on the 1
Chinese coast, This important step could not well have
occurred (says the correspondent) without Sits becoming
known to the British authorities in Hong Kong, and we
may therefore consider the information as incorrect. From
the salubrity and the great advantages of Formosa, it
would be highly desirable that that island should be con-
verted into a British station. Such is probably its
destiny.--!-1.4 -
Tsibirci, THE PORT OF BRISTOL.—The published re-
turns of trade of the port of Bristol for the year ending
April 33, 1857, exhibit a large increase as compared with
the preceding year. The gross tonnage is 183,342 against
138 764. There is au increase in the ireportation of hides,
tallow, hemp, cotton, grain, timber, fruit, fish, oil, and in
fact in all the staple articles of trade with the exception
of sugar. The tonnage of sugar, grain, and timber,
respectively, in 1856 was 31,334, 9,648, and 46,895 ; and
in 1857, 26,240, 24,900, and '74,372. The revenue of the
docks atter payment of all Expenses leaves a balance of
£-1,645. The Customs duties received at Bristol for the
month ending on the 3lstk ultimo Emanated to
£94,024103 94