The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-01-01 00:00:00

THE COTTON TRADE.—The brokers have just pub.

lished their annual supplementary statement of the
stock of cotton in the port of Liverpool on the 31st of
December, 1838. This document being of considera-
ble importance, we offer no apology for its insertion,
at length, in our, present publication. We have no
room for the tabular details which are annexed to it,
but we furnish the following analysis.
The total amount of cotton imported into Liverpool
during the last three years has been as follows :
In 1836
In 1837
In 18.38 1,329,647
Thus showing an increase for the last year, as com-
pared with the preceding, of 292,442, and as compared
with 1836, of 306,057. What will the Manchester
anti-corn-law croakers say to this important fact?
The following statement exhibits the comparative
amount of imports into the ports of Liverpool, Lon-
don, and Glasgow, during the last three years :

1836. 1837. 1838.
Liverpool .. 1,022,590 1,036,205 1,328,647
London.... 107,551 65.696 43,570
Glasgow .. 70,017 74,270 56,560

Total 1,200,158 1,176,171 1,428,777
Showing an increase in the total amount of imports,
comparing 1838 with 1837, of 252,606, and comparing
1838 with 1836, of 228,619.

The exports of cotton from the ports of Liverpool,
London, 4-.nd Glasgow, during the last three years,
have been as follow :

183 G. 1837. 1838.
Liverpool
London ...... 60,300 51,400 40,900
Glasgow

Total 107,899 124,980 102,370
Showing a decrease in the exports for the, last year,
as compared with 1837, of 22,610, and as compared
with 1836, of 5,529.

The comparative statement of stocks in the ports of
Liverpool, London, and Glasgow, on the 31st of De-
cember, for the last three years, gives the following

.esult

1836. 1837. 1838.
Li v erpool .. .
London
Glasgow 23,590 24,370 26,300

Total
• The following statement furnishes the particulars of
he stock in Liverpool on the 31st December, 1838:

Sea Island 3220
Stained Ditto
Upland
Orleans, &c 98050
Mobile

Total American lB9lOO 189100

Pernambuco
Bahia
Ma ranharn
Minas

. 11720
. 8230
. 9050
. 100

Total Brazil

29100 29100

Egyptian
Demarara
Laguayra
Peruvian
Carthagena
Barbados
Bahamas
Common West India

5320 5320
640 640
250 250
840 840
4640 4640
130 130
20 20
80 80

Surat
Madras
Bengal

... 16510
... 400
... 580

Total of East India 17490 17490

Smyrna
Manilla

700 700
30 30

Total Stock in Liverpool
on 31st December 248340
Total IMPORT into Great Britain in 1838 :
Liverpool . • .. 1,328,647
London 43,570
Scotland

1,6:•:,117

108,570

1,579,547

and other parts of Europe is less now than it was du-
ring the five years succeeding the peace ; the crafty
orators intending to persuade ignorant people that the
cotton manufacture of this country generally has been,
and is retrograding; and the Sun newspaper, with re-
ference to the statements made at the Manchester
meeting, actually writes of the deplorable state of
decay of our cotton manufacture ! Is this represen-
tation (whether asserted or insinuated) true ? or is it
false ? Let the facts answer.

During the five years succeeding the pence we believe

the whole consumption of Great Britain scarcely
amounted weekly to 2,000 bales ; since that it has
continually been going on increasing with wonderful
rapidity, and the weekly consumption is now estimated
at 24,000 bales ; and let it never be forgotten how
large a proportion of this enormous increase is con-
sumed in our own country. The import last year
amounted to nearly 1,500,000 bales; yet observe the
feverish anxiety of the manufacturers at this moment,
lest the import should prove inadequate to their
wants : 70,000 bales were sold in Liverpool alone last
week. These facts will convince every one that the
Manchester petition is an unjust and malicious state-
ment, probably the jaundiced effusion of a few unrea-
sonable and discontented men, whose avaricious de-
sires of profit are diiappointed by the daily increase of

le number of their manufacturing competitors.

With regard to the corn.laws,—if Mr. Sandars (we
presume our respected townsman) attended that meet•
ing from patriotic motives, why did he not inform his
auditors that our corn laws aie nut the cause of the
present high prices of corn in this country—why did

he not inform them that the advance was occasioned
by the failure of the harvest, and that the advance
would not have been so great, had not our corn laws
been rendered almost inoperative from the following
causes: viz., That the harvests of the United States
and of Canada failed to such an extent, in 1836 and

1837, that immense quantities of grain and flour were
'actually sent from this country to New York, in addi-
tion to our sending almost the entire. supplies of Ca-
nada, New Brunswick, Nuva Scotia, Newfoundland,
the West Indies, Brazil, and other countries commonly
supplied from the United States. The .Crops also
failed for two or three years in Australia, which coun-
try also was supplied from England. These singular
and unexpected demands had drained off the stocks of
bonded.wheat and flour from this country ; and when

the ungenial weather threatened to destroy our har-
vest, particularly as the crops in many of the more
northern parts of the empire had failed for the last two
years, a very great advance took place in the price of
grain ; but, although almost inoperative from the pre-
ceding causes, yet the beautiful working of our corn
laws was seen to great advantage : the duty declined
to the nominal rate of Is., and an immense quantity
of grain came into consumption, and immediately re-
duced the price. Why did not Mr. S. inform them
that seventeen cargoes of wheat arrived at Southamp-
ton from France in one day, and that no doubt France,
Belgium, and other countries, will continue to pour
wheat into this country till the price declines ? But
this cliMax of our corn laws is the very thing Mr. S.
declines.

Mr. S. had the boldness to tell the Manchester meet-

ing, that the proper object of corn laws is not to keep
down the price of corn, but only to equalize our prices
with the prices of other, nations; in other words, to
reduce and degrade our farmers to the rude, comfort-
less, savage state of Russian- serfs, or force them to
abandon the production of grain in this country.
The price of grain must fluctuate, because its pro-
duction depends on our uncertain climate : but the
direct effect of our corn laws is to keep down the price
of corn. This is admitted by Mr. S , and by every
person who understands the subject.
We conclude by asserting, that the true and wisest
policy of thii country, on thie.subject, is to legislate
with a view to keep down the price of grain in this
country, with reasonable regard to the interest of our
farmers.

SHIP LAUNCH.—This forenoon, at eleven o'clock, will be
launched, from ►he building-yard of Messrs. Robert Clarke
and Sons, Trentham-street, a fine barque, of 360 tons, be-
longing to Mr. Thomas J. Hutton, and intended for the East
India trade.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY.—On Christmas night, about ten
o'clock, as Mr. R. Hall was returning to town from Edge
hill. be was knocked down in Crown-street, by two men, who
rubbed him of nine shillings, the whole of the money he had
with bun, and his penknife. We learn that several robberies
have recently been committed in the same neighbourhood,
and recommend the police to be on the.look-out.
TRIBUTE ow RESPECT.—On Wednesday, Dec. 19th, Mrs.
Heath, of Sculshaw Lodge, in the name of the parishioners
of Lower Peover, Cheshire, presented to the Rev. John
Holme, incumbent of the parish, a handsome silk gown with
scarf, and a massive tea service, which included a coffee-pot,
tea-pot, sugar basin, cream ewer, &c., with the following in-
scription on the coffee-pot : `• Presented, (together with
other pieces of plate, and a silk gown,) to the ltev. J. Holme,
by the parishioners of Lower Peover, in testimony of their
sincere regard and esteem for his faithful aud adectionate
discharge of the duties of his pastoral office, during a period
of ten years." And on Christmas day, was also presented to
the same rev. gentleman, by his hearers attending Nether
Tably Chapel, a beautiful silver pocket communion service,
together with four richly chased silver candlesticks, snuffers
and tray, with an inscription, expressive of their sincere re-
spect towards him, both in his religious aud moral character.

LIVERPOOL CHESS CLUB.—This society, which' now miss-
ters nearly sixty members, many of them excellent players,
continues to hold its meetings at the Lyceum, Bold-street.
Considering that the privilege of entrée is confined to the sub-
cribers to the News-room or Library, the club has made great
progress in the short space of twelve months, during which
time it has been established. The members are now engaged
in a contest by correspendeuce with the Leeds Chess Club,
and from what we have seen of the play on each side,. the
match is likely to become of interest. It was proposed by the
Leeds Club that the losers should pay the expenses, and pre-
sent the winners with a set of chess-men as a trophy of victory;
but fearing that thie might be construed by those who were
opposed to the formation of the chess club into an act of
gambling, the Liverpool club declined the proposal, and each
party accordingly pay their own expenses. The Leeds club
musters more than thirty members, and is generally consi-
dered a strong club. We trust, however, for the honour of
our town, that the Liverpool club may be the winner, and to
this end we hope it wilt be joined by every good chess player
in the town, as will doubtless be the case in Leeds. Union
is strength, and the batttle is not one of chance, but of intel-
lect.

LECTURES ON PHYSIOLOGY AND THE LAWS OF HEALTH.
—The sixth of this popular course of lectures on the laws of
health was delivered on Friday evening. Dr. Thorburn was
evidently suffering considerably from a severe cold, though
no apology was made to the audience, nor their indulgence
towards him requested, in addition to the business explana-
tion which the Secretary of the Literary and Commercial
Institution very properly tendered on k ridgy week. The
lecture-room was crowded. The subject of physical educa-
tion was concluded, together with an exposition of the ner-
vous system. Systematic exercise of all the muscles of our
bodies constituted the most prominent topic of comment.
Spinal complaints, " twists," and distorted or cork-screw
backs, in Dr. T.'s opinion, not only are traceable to neglect
of exercise in youth, and particularly in the case of young
ladies at boarding-schools, but are generally curable under
an appropriate system of muscular exercise, with attention
to diet. He said that the latter (diet) should be regulated in
accordance with the state of the skin and stomach. Every
other guide was fallacious.—The nervous system was next
explained, with the functions of the brain, namely, judgment,
memory, imagination, &c. The science of phrenology was
likewise explained, and the merits and phautasies of that
part of it called craniology were reviewed in succession.
Dr. T. stated that he was a phreuologist, but not an ultra
craniologist. The distinction between those epithets was
briefly but perspicuously stated. Phrenology meant "mind-
discourse." Such was a literal translation of the Atticisrn
or Greek compound from which it was derived. his other-
wise with craniology, or crazy-ology, as its enemies nick-
narom.l it, Based, -however, on observation and experience,
as craniology is, candid enquirers cannot tenably withhold
their admission that its general principles are correct, though
they ate unquestionably overlaid with ridiculous assumptions
of preation, and much wildness in detail. Craniology was
but an extension, to the surface of the bead, of the principle
of externalism; just as the physiognomy of Lavater was
founded on the observation of symptoms in the face, with
their conversion into signs of what they indicated within.
The nervous system was too extensive to be concluded within

the limits of a single lecture; he should therefore finish the
course on the 7th of January, when be proposed to discuss
sleep with reference to health ; also the laws of a sound
mind, eccentricity, genius, imbecility, and madness. From
the interesting nature of insanity, with popular illustrations,
the last lecture, to be delivered on the evening of Monday
next, will doubtless be as numerously attended as any of
those that have preceded it.—Herald.
Tax CANADIAN STATE PRISONERS.—Proceedings have,
we understand, been taken to try the question of the legality
of the process under which these prisoners, twenty-four in
number, have been transported from CanaosAo this country,
on their way to a penal colony in the southern hemisphere.
From the day of their arrival, Monday fortnight, until Satur-
day morning, no person, save the officers of the Borough
Gaol, had been allowed, so strict was the durance under which
they were kept, to have access to them. On Saturday morn-
ing, however, Mr. Roebuck arrived, from London, with a
Judge's order to enter the gaol and to have communication
with the prisoners. The order was, we believe, given in con-
sequence of a joint affidavit made by Mr. Hume and Mr.
i;oebuck, that they had reason to believe the process under
which the prisoners had been committed was informal and,
consequently, illegal, and that they were entitled to their li-
berty. At the same time, writs of Habeas Corpus were issued,
to bring the bodies of the prisoners before the Court of Queen's
Bench, where Mr. Roebuck will be prepared to argue the il-
legality of the process. The learned gentleman, immediately
on his arrival here, served the Justices and the Gaoler with
formal notices not to deliver up the bodies of the prisoners
until the writs of Habeas Corpus should arrive from London.
We hear, that these notices were given, in consequence of its
having been intended to remove the prisoners, in the course
of Saturday, on board a Queen's vessel, to be conveyed to
Portsmouth for transportation to New South Wales. The
Sun, of Saturday, contains the following statement respecting
the proceedings we have mentioned :—" We have just been
informed, that writs of Habeas Corpus have been issued, this
morning, to bring up the Canadian prisoners before Mr. Jus-
tice Littledale. The writs were obtained upon the application
of Mr. Roebuck as counsel. Many of the prisoners are said
to have had no trial, and it is believed, that others have been
tried before incompetent tribunals. The former class of cases
is obviously of great importance, as involving the question,
whether a person can be transported as a felon from this
country, and by the British Government, without having ever
had a trial." We understand, that nine of the prisoners, in-
cluding Mr, Parker, were never tried,—Albion.

THE ANNUAL CIRCULAR OF THE LIVERPOOL
COTTON BROKERS,

LINERPOOL, 31ST DrCESIIIER, 183
The memorable events of last year were of too remarkable
a character not to leave some traces behind them upon the
mercantile affairs of the following, and perhaps of several
succeeding years. Although the storm which at one time
threatened the dissolution of the whole American interest

had happily abated before the close of the year, it had pro-
duced mischief so extensive, and bad disclosed evils of such
magnitude, that the necessity for a change in the system of
commercial intercourse between the two countries seemed to

be acknowledged by common consent. Business, in passing
from its accustomed channels, in anticipation of this transi-
tion, became more circumscribed, and what with the want of
coofidence, or of means, a larger portion of the crop remained
unshipped than had been known for a number of years.
Hence, it was rather hastily concluded by some, that under
the influence of the same circumstances the supplies of the

coming year would be more or less retaidedi but it was
scarcely probable that a couutry so fertile of resources under
difficulties as America, would suffer her credit and her com-

merce to languish from causes of a purely financial nature.
Arrangements were accordingly made, through facilities
afforded by the Bank of the United States, and of several

minor Banks of the Union, for the shipment of Cotton on an
unprecedently extensive scale. It was easy to foresee that
the effect of an operation conducted on such a principle.
backed by unlimited means, and uncontrolled in a great
Measure by those prudential motives which impose a whole-
some restraint upon private enterprise, would not only be to
stimulate the import in an extraordinary manner, but to
place the fate of the cotton mai ket, whether for good or evil,
in the hands of one interest, if not of a single individual.
The consequences likely to result from this combination of
circumstances were variously estimated, though the balance
of opinion certainly inclined to the unfavourable side, as re-
garded the prospect for Cotton. Nor were these apprehen-
sions allayed by the declared intentions of the Bank Party
not to press their Cotton unseasonably upon the market.
The general importers were free sellers from first to last, and
light as were the stocks and imports in January and Febru-
ary, all descriptions of American fell about id W lb; and
although the supplies in the following month still continued
inoderate,a further reduction took place of id to Id lb.
Early in April, prices hiid reached their lowest point, having
then declined fully lid lb since the 31st Dec.: and
it is a fact deserving of particular notice, that during a
season of the heaviest import which has been known for
many years, and with a stock generally, approaching, and for
several weeks exceeding, half a million of bags, they did
not fluctuate more than id ff,' lb for six or seven months.
Neither were prices at any moment during this period unduly
depressed, fair Orleans having never fallen below 62d 1% 16,
Uplands 61d IY lb, and Alabamas 6d 1: lb, other qualities
" • .•

ruling in proportion.
This long-continued steadiness may, no doubt, in part be
ascribed to the total freedom from any thing like pressure in
money matters which prevailed throughout the year; but the
market, nevertheless, would nave sunk under the weight of

stock and import, had it not been for the holding policy of
the Bank party. Of the enormous quantity received by this
interest., amounting to upwards of 250,000 bags, or more than
a fifth of the entire import from the States, 170,000 bags re-
mained on hand at the end of September. By the middle of
October, the market being pretty well cleared of the general
import Cotton, a scarcity in the midst of abundance began
to be felt, and such of the trade as were lightly stocked be-

came sensible of the critical position in which tiiey might be
placed before the end of the year. Under this impression,

some heavy purchases were made; but the consumers as a
body not participating in the alarm, the demand continued
only for a few weeks; the same apathy prevailed on the part
of the trade till the last week of the year, when more symp-
toms of uneasiness were manifested, under the prospect of a
l►ght import, with a stock so peculiarly circumstanced.
Speculators, however, took a more decided view. In the
eleven weeks between the 13th October and 28th December,
of the total business, amounting to 486.500 bags, no less tha❑
201,000 bags were_onspeculation, with a gradual and steady

adv.ance of to I W lb' each week, (with one slight pause in
November,) or lid to lid ctp tb, the closing prices being as
nearly as possible the same as the year before. It is a singu-
lar feature in the history of these speculations, that they ori-
ginated with, and for some time were confined to, a particular
interest; and this fact, in the absence of any very intelligi-
ble grounds for the movement, created a suspicion in the
minds of some, (and which may explain in part the indiffe-
rence of the trade,) that they were the result of management
or contrivance. If the respectability of the parties concerned
were not sufficient to negative such a supposition, recent ad-
vices from the States have supplied a motive arising out of
the declared intentions of the Bank, which had probably
been already initiated, and bad been suffered to transpire,
for reasons perfectly consistent with policy and gond faith.
The advices of a partial failure of the crop came most oppor-
tunely in aid of these operations, and the infusion of a new
set of buyers gave a fresh impetus to the market. It may,
however, be remarked of these transactions, that, whether
from the discredit which was thrown upon them in the out-
set, or from a disbelief of the reasons assigned, they cer-
tainly failed in engaging the sympathies of the trade, or of
that large class of purchasers generally so sensitive of any
change.
The preceding observations have reference entirely to
American Colton. In other descriptions there is nothing
deserving of particular notice. The import of Brazil has
been liberal, whilst that of Egyptian has fallen short of last
year, owing rather to the caprice and anti-commercial no-
tions of the Pacha, than to a deficiency in the growth. Of
Surats, also, the supply is somewhat less; and the prospect
of troubles in the East has made them an object of specula-

Lion, especially during the last few weeks. -
For the particulars of the Stocks and Imports into this and
other Ports, reference is requested to the annexed Tables, for
which the annual cr,mpliment may be claimltd for their accu-
racy, as shown by their generally exact correspondence with
the periodical statements which emanate from this Associa-
tion. The enormous increase of 267,000 bags in the import

from the United States will, no doubt, attract attention
What portion of this may be due to the unshipped balance
of the crop of 1836, and what to the increase of that of 1837,
it is not easy to determine; perhaps it may be equally divi-
ded between the two; but it is quite certain that this year, at
least, the country has been completely swept of the whole of
its disposable produce. The deliveries to the trade appear
to have been 1,258,4,57 bags, making the consumption, allow-
ing the trade to hold 60,000 bags more than last year, 23,041
bags, being an increase of 13 per cent.
In hazarding an opinion as to the future, an important
consideration is suggested by the experience of this year,
which has furnished a striking proof that the state of prices
is much those dependant on th distribution of the stock than
on its actual amount. This truth is illustrated by the posi-
tion of affairs at the present moment; and from the move-
ments of certain parties in the United States known to be in
close connexion with the bank, the same influence will pro-
bably be extended over the operations of another year;
though whether in the same degree, or only by way of de-
monstration to cover a retreat in this market, seems still to
be a matter of doubt. In either case the effect, or at least
the policy will be, to keep back the supplies, and, as a con-
sequence, to leave the buyers for the next two months, per-
haps, at the mercy of the speculators and of one Interest.
The trade, though as a body fairly stocked, cannot afford
wholly to turn a deaf ear to the confident predictions of a
short crop; and the fears of some, and the necessities of
others, acting upon a feverish market, may, for the moment,
force up prices to a point which neither reason nor calcula-
tion can justify. It is obvious, however, that the excite-
ment, (which has already begun to abate,) being the result
of temporary causes, will be of no long duration; and the
matter for inquiry is, bow far it is warranted by considera-
tions of a more permanent nature, apart from those adventi-
tious circumstances which gave it birth.
On the subject of the crop, a great diversity of opinion
exists, which involves this part of the question in more un-
certainty than usual. It is variously estimated from 1,500,000
bags to 1,700,000 bags, the truth probably lying between thuse
extremes. Assuming, then, 1,600,000 bags as the amount of
the crop, Great Britain may fairly claim 900,000 bags, leaving
700,000 bags for France and for the home-consumption of
America. To this amount 30,000 bags should be added,
beins, that portion of, the succeeding crop which until this
year'
has almost always been received in the last two months
of the year. The import from other quarters into the king-
dom cannot safely be taken at less than that of the present
year, viz. 305,000 bags. The stock in Liverpool this day is
248,340 bags, in London 46,450 bags, and in Glasgow 26,300
bags; and the trade are supposed to hold 60,000 bags more—
always a moot-point—than at the same period last year. The
aggregate quantity, therefore, from these different sources.
for the service of the ensuing year, is 1,616,090 bags. The
demand upon this stock will be, for consump,:on, 1,248,080
bags, (or 24,000 bags ty week, being an increase of only 4
if' cent. npon that of the present year.) and for re-exportation
to ports of the continent other than France, the same as this
year, 102,000 bags, together 1,350,000 bags, leaving, accord-
ing to these data, a stock in the Ports at the close of the year
of 266,080 bags, supposing the trade to have reduced in the
course of the year their stock to the amount as at this time
last year.
These estimates are based upon what may be considered the
average belief of tho,.e I'o are conversant with the subject.
It would far exceed the limits of a publication like this to enter
into minute details; and were it otherwise, there is something
delusive in the attempt to prophesy by an appeal to elaborate
statements of facts and figures, the precise course of a branch
of commerce which, aboveall others, is beset with the elements
of uncertainty. Viewed without reference to disturbing, causes,
the supplies, if nut very ample, are likely to be'adequate to
the wants of the trade, and sufficient to remove all apprehen-
sions of a positive scarcity. It must be admitted, on the other
hand, that the estimated surplus, considering the scale of the
Cotton business, is rather below than above what it ought to
be; and in the event of an extensively organised speculation,
such as that just witnessed, being set on foot towards the close
of the year, it would oppose but a feeble resistance to an ad-
vance of prices. But the year will probably throughout be
one of much excitement; for the prospects for trade are en-
couraging, and with a large and increasing censumption,
acting upon a stock comparatively small, an artificial scarcity,
by whatever means brought about, would produce all the
effects of a real one.
The consumption, it will be be observed, has exceeded
that of last year by 13 per cent.; but many causes have con-
tributed to this resultfichich are not likely to occur again
next year, or if they do, in a less degree; as fur instance, the
low price of the raw material; the replenishing of the stocks
in the home and other markets, which had been exhausted
during the comtnercial embarrassment of the previous year;
the uninterrupted harmony which has subsisted between the
operatives and their masters ; and above all, the fact that the
demand for heavy Goods and for low numbers of Yarns has
been disproportionably large. Still, however, no reasonable
doubt can exist but that some, and perhaps a considerable
increase will take place in the consumption, unless checked
by high prices. But the points upon which the question
mainly hinges are, the amount of the import, and the policy
intended to be pursued by the American Bank Party, and
the two appear to be inseparably connected. The facilities
which are offered to the planters and others must have a ten-
dency to encourage shipments; and further, the compara-
tively high prices at which tbis market will open is a strong
inducement of itself to the independent shipper; and thus a
a larger portion of the crop may possibly find its way to this
country than had been calculated upon. Whether there be
an excess of import from this or any other cause, will not be
ascertained till an advanced period of the year, when also the
secret of the crop will be revealed. Meanwhile, the market
will be agitated by conflicting accounts as to expected sup-
plies, and will have its seasons of elevation and depression;
but if the Bank Cotton Interest be directed with the same
steady hand as during last summer, the ruinous consequences
of extremes in prices may be greatly mitigated, or averted.
Upon a subject so surrounded by contingencies, the best in-
formation upon which is exceedingly vague, any prediction
must be considered merely an approximation; and with this
saving clause, the foregoing observations may be summed up
with an opinion, that the present prices will be maintained
till the full season of supply, when, as in almost all former
years, they may be expected to yield to the pressure of im-
port, unless, in the mean time, the apprehensions of a defici-
ency in- the crop obtain a more general belief. The settle-
ment of this all-important question would of course regulate
the market for the remainder of the year; but, assuming the
import into the kingdom to be as above, a justification of the
present prices, or thereabouts, will be found in the moderate
amount of the estimated stock in the ports at the end of the
year, which, though sufficiently large to forbid all idea of a
scarcity, cannot certainly be considered excessive for an ar-
ticle of the first necessity, and one of the great staples of the
country.

OLD ENGLISH HOSPITALITY.--John Clare, Esq., of
Fairfield Hall, provided the inmates of Warrington work-
house, on Christmas day, with roast beef and plum-pudding,
and one pint of ale each for dinner. Bread and cheese for
supper for the men. Tea for the women, and a large bun
and spiced ale for the children. He also gave tobacco to
the men, and, to crown all, the old women, were treated with
" spiced ale" at night. There are at present one hundred
and forty persons in the house.