The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-09-20 00:00:00

E GRACES.

inns just to stet

Wood's

the shortes.

Ltleman at Launceston, who;

in the Times, advertises the following curious enumeration
of his wants:—" A folio prayer-book, large gong, Pearson's
Astronomy, Diversions of Purley, a single gun, and Times
at half-price, to be posted, unsoiled, on the day of publi-
cation." _

THE CALORIC ENGINE.—The editors of the Journal of
the Franklin Institute for June last conclude a short
article on Ericson's caloric engine thus—" At the time
these remarks were made we knew less about the

engine than at present, and it was supposed by many en-
gineers that success was at least possible, although it
might be a work of years to develope it. It was, therefore,
the aim of the writer to show that the results at that time
attained were not such as to warrant any hope of its future
success on the ocean, or indeed for locomotive power of
any description. Farther experience has destroyed all
probability of its success in any capacity."
THE COMET which has lately been visible has served a
priest not far from Warsaw with materials for a very
curious sermon. After having summoned his congrega-
tion together, although it was neither Sunday nor festi-
val, and shown them the comet, he informed them that
this was the same star that had appeared to the Magi at
the birth of our Saviour, and that it was only visible now
in the Russian Empire. Its appearance on this occasion
was to intimate to the Russian eagle that the time was
now come for it to spread out its wings and embrace all
mankind in one orthodox soul-sanctifying Church. He
told them that the star was now standing immediately
over Constantinople, and explained that the nucleus indi-
cated its sorrow at the delays of the Russian army in pro-
ceeding to its destination, &c.
A NEW GAS.—In the Nova Scotia le,
ner submitted a proposal to light the lighthouses belo
ing to the provinces with his new Kerosne gas, rc

lure Dr. Ges-

estimated -would effect a saving of £15,00
over the present mode. He has been alloy

to try the

experiment with the lighthouse at Me
he illumined at a charge of £l9 p(
saving of £5O. It appears that -
the gas was quite simple, and a

mum, effe
rtric, of nn

sting a

had all their vessels lighted with it, as well as the wharves,
&c. It was brought on board the vessel in India-rubber
bags. The works are stated to be managed by a common
labouring man. No mention is made of the mode of pre-
paration, nor of the material from which it is• manufac-
tured, but it is said to be much cheapep thp-

ordinary

CHOLERA. AND CoreEn.—Severaccolunins of the S'ige
we been taken up the last two days with a communic

tion from Dr. Burg, recommending the application of 1
copper to the skin as a protection against cholera, and the i
internal use of the filings or powder of copper internally,
in doses which are not poisonous, where the cholera has
made its appearance. Dr. Burg relates some extraordinary
facts of the workmen in copper manufactories having
escaped the cholera, but he does not give us well-authen-
ticated cases of prevention by the wearing of copper, or of
cure by the internal use of that metal. A few cases of this
kind would be much more conclusive than all the induc-
tions founded on statistical facts. Dr. Burg appears to
ground his theory on the supposition that where the
cholera exists there is a deficiency of or a material change
in the character of the electric fluid, and that the equili-
brium may be restored by metallic agency. This idea is
not new. In 1832, both in London and Paris, plates of
copper and zinc were worn by thousands, in the belief
that they would be thus protected against cholera ; but
they did not escape any more than persons who had not
adopted the precaution. Dr. Burg mentions one curious
fact, if it be real, showing the atmospheric action in cholera.
He says that in the last visitation all the coach springs
that were manufactured were defective in quality.
POPPING THE QUESTION.—What a curious sensation
that is which troubles a man upon such a mission ! Why
does the elegantly arranged sentence, studied with so
much care, in order alike to avoid formality and familiarity,
begin to seem bald, and bold,' and bungling, just as it is
about to be wanted ? Why is it finally revised upon the
coarse mat in the hall, and utterly rejected upon the silky
mat in the landing ? Why do you feel choking, as with
thirst, and yet could not drink the elixir of life, if it were
presented to you ? Why would you pay a hundred guineas
a step to have the staircase twice as long as it is, and yet
you go up as hastily as if you were escaping from a poor
relation ? Why does that pleasing bow, with which you
have so often stooped to conquer—you know it—seem to
you at once a great deal too low, and a great deal too
.slight, and altogether abominable ? Why do you wish .
you had put on that other cravat ? In short, why is your
sense so keenly awakened to the outward man, and to the
outside phase, and why do you forget that you have
hitherto looked like a gentleman and spoken like a
philosopher, and generally done your duty in that state of
life in which it has pleased Providence to place you, and
that there is no particular reason why, at one o'claek this
fine day, you should make a failure ? Is it a satisfactory
answer to say, that all this is because there sits in the low
chair near the window, in that drawing-room, a bright-
eyed young person of the other sex, who, if you could only
see it, can hardly hold her crotchet-work for her tremour ;
who knows intensely well what you mean and what you
are come for, and who designs to make you the kindest I
possible answer, poor thing ! if she should be able to find
proper words, and who, in the mean time, is in about as
fit a condition to criticize you as I am to correct the
Jupiter symphony or the Nautical Almanack.—Aspen
Court, by Shirley Brooks.
TUE MIKE'S CHARITIES.—A writer in the Quarterly
Review, in noting the interior of Apsley House (the
duke's own room), says : —Near also at hand is a private
box, now covered with a leather case, which he unlocked
with an unduplicated key, it being the depository of a
constant supply of bank-notes for those disbursements as
to which he did not think proper to make " Coutts's
clerks" his confidants ; and seldom that day passed when
it was not often opened to direct £5 and £lO notes to be
sent in registered letters to never-failing applications for
relief. The duke, a Samaritan, not a Pharisee, did not
blazon forth his name in printed subscription lists, or
choose to be made a decoy—like many who have their re-
ward—but had a heart open as charity, and a hand
that knew not what the other gave. It was useless to
prove to him that his bounty was often abused. He held
that, as much had been given by his own country, much
was required ; and, however close and circumspect as pay-
master of state money, he was generous to a fault with
his own; nay, he was infinitely amused when ingenious
tricks were played on him. He was fond of telling—and
he did it at great length and with infinite humour—the
particular case of the female Standly, who, by a scheme
followed up for seven years, contrived to do him out of
some £5OO. "An orphan daughter of a soldier," he would
say—and we can only give an epitome—" petitioned for
relief—l sent her £lO ; soon comes a grateful application
for a little aid to set up a shop—granted ; after a time,
trade very bad and some assistance begged—given ; pre-
sently a prospect of marriage with an industrious young
man—wedding present, of course ; in due time, a child
born—baby-linen provided; by-and-bye the infant sickens
—apothecary settled with; next the poor sufferer dies—
undertaker satisfied; then the heart-broken parents wish
to emigrate—outfit and passage paid ; after a few months,
news from the United States that it does not answer—
passage back paid ! when an accidental discovery by the
police brought an untimely end to my poor orphan."
LIR WORKS AT WESTMINSTER. PALACE.—Ascending
the noble flight of steps from Westminster-hall to the
porch, the effect of the lofty arches is exceedingly fine; the
height from the pavement of the porch to the crown of the
vault is 65 feet. The great window, which is about 48 feet 1
high in the centre, and 25 feet wide, will be filled with
stained glass before the next meeting of Parliament •, the
glass is now being executed in the establishment of Mr.
Hardman. Looking externally, the small turrets next the
window contain a series of sculptured figures, namely :
that on the left hand, and beginning at the top, Edward
111., Queen Philippa, St. George, and St. Andrew ; and
the turret on the right, Henry VII., Elizabeth of York,
St. Patrick, and St. Stephen. The four canopied niches
forming the termination of the gable, contain statues of
four monarchs, during whose reign this and the adjoining
buildings were erected, namely :—William Rufus, with his
face towards Westminster-hall ; Edward the Confessor,
looking towards St. Stephen's-hall and cloisters ; William
IV., facing west ; and Queen Victoria, looking to the Vic-
toria-tower. The Royal arms, the separate insignia of
England, Ireland, and Scotland, badges, and names form
the sculptured adornments of other parts of the facade.
The want of story, by the way, in the sculptured work
adorning the Houses of Parliament always seems to us a
subject for regret ; there is so little to find out. We would
have had it present a noble poem in stone, which men of
all countries could translate. The Victoria Tower is ad-
vancing slowly, but steailily ; a height of about 20 feet has
been carried up during the present year by Mr. Jay. The
top of ,it is now 180 feet from the ground ; and when com-
pleted it will be more than 300 feet ! Between this tower
and St. Stephen's porch a range of buildings is being put
up to contain offices and committee-rooms for the peers,
which will shut out from view the exterior of the House
of Lords, now seen in Old Palace-yard, and present a
handsome facade to the road, four stories in height, with a
, dock-tower in the centre, 120 feet from the ground. Oriel
windows, alternating with windows in recesses, with bal-
conies before them, will give life and variety to this front.
It will terminate almost in a point, containing a staircase,
next the approach to St. Stephen's-hall (with which it will
communicate with the ground floor), so as not to interfere
with the lights. At the back of this range of buildings,
and extending east, will be a large apartment, not yet
commenced, 45 feet long, and 27 feet wide, to be called the
Painted Chamber, for the complete decoration of which,
with pictures in fresco, Mr. Herbert, R.A., has received a
commission, and he is now, we believe, engaged in pre-
paring for the work. Hereafter it will be a subject of
' wonder that so vast a building was completed from one
plan, and in so short a space of time, as the Westminster
Palace has occupied.—The Builder.

FRENCH LANGUAGE.—MORS. L. IP. PLUMTOT, at the re-
quest of several large families, has determined to introduce
Single Ladies to any of the fifteen different Classes directed
in Six respectable Educational Establishments for
Young mouhnigLadies, on the same terms as the Pupils themselves.
Mons. P. has classes of all gradations, from beginners in the
French Alphabet to the Pupils capable not only of understand-
ing very well the Classic Works used by him, (the same as
adopted in the best Educational Establishments in Paris,)
but also capable of speaking and writing correctly the French
Language. Each Lady has the option of remaining in, the
different classes one, two, or three hours twice a-week. Gen-
tlemen, of all ages, may be introduced also into several Es-
tablishments for Young Gentlemen, on the same terms as the
Pupils. Prospectuses, with Directions as to each Establish-
ment, Terms, and many Testimonials {from Ladies, Clergy-
men, and Gentlemen who have learned the French Language
upon Mons. P.'s new system during the last ten years, may be
had at any time, at the Professor's Residence, or by post. Pri •
vate Lessons, for Ladies ox Gentlemen, at the Professor's Resi-
dence, at the Pupils' Residence, or bycorrespondence, as usual.
The next Quarter commences on the 3rd of October next. The
Paris Illustration and French Daily Newspapers are con-
stantly in Mona. P.'s apartment, at the disposal of all his
P. me aatftheor m es
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