The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-03-02 00:00:00

MR. T. B. HORSFALL.

WE are happy to learn that the health of Mr. T.
B. HORSFALL is greatly improved; and it is con-
fidently expected that in a week or two he will
rejoice his numerous friends by showing himself
upon the Exchange flags. It is the opinion of
some of his most intimate friends, that his compa-
rative restoration has improved his spirits at the
same time, and that it would be possible to over-
come the diffidence and other reasons which induced
him to hesitate about putting himself prominently
forward as a candidate for the representation of
Liverpool. The period of illness and prostration is
not the best for proposing to any one the subject
of politics or controversy; and we know well that
the decision which has been announced as his, has
caused disappointment to a large number in all
ranks of society in the town. We do not know
how far a requisition, numerously and respectably
signed, might influence him in allowing his name
to be put forward ; hut with a man of much less
merit among us, it would be worth a trial. There
is much said about the jealousy among merchants
respecting one of their own class ; too much, we
think; for men are naturally complimented by the
preference of a man whose qualifications and inter-
ests are similar to their own.

PROPOSED BREAKWATER ON THE
MERSEY.

Tax difficulties which attend the navigation of the Port,
the uncertainty of position in the main channel of ap-
proach and departure, the vast amount of annual loss of
life and property on the sand-banks beyond the Rock,
have all been productive of much anxious consideration,
as to the best means for securing stability and safety.
The extension of the Docks along the northern strand is
a subject which has excited much animadversion, the
opponents thereof alleging that, from their exposure to
the open sea, the Docks in that situation must be less
accessible and less secure than those more within the
limits of the river proper. Mr. Rennie's project, which
was yesterday brought under the notice of the Chamber
of Commerce by Mr. Murray Ross, involves the con-
struction of a breakwater five miles in length (which will
be merely a prolongation of the western shore of the
river), and the consequent reclamation of 20,000 acres of
land by the enclosure and cultivation of the Great Burbo
bank and its attendant satellites.

The profitable nature of such undertakings has been
established in this country, in Lincolnshire, and by the
successful completion by Sir John Rennie of a portion of
the works for reclaiming the estuary of the Wash, off the
coast of Norfolk, and forming the proposed district of
Victoril County.
The Netherlands, it is well known, consist almost en-
tirely of large tracts, which have been enclosed from the
sea by means of wattled osiers and mud banks ; and there
it is no unusual sight to see the surface of water in the sea
and the canals considerably higher than that of the adja-
cent country, which would be completely inundated were
the sea to make a breach in any of the barriers. But so
secure do the inhabitants feel, that flourishing towns and
villages with richly cultivated fields now abound, where
two or three hundred years since were only to be heard
the beatine of the waves and the rush of mighty waters.
To a moderate extent a similar sight may be witnessed in
the township of Moreton, two or three miles beyond
Bidston, where, at high-water, vessels of all sizes may be
observed sailing at a level considerably above that of the
adjacent country, which is protected by the Wallasey
embankment.

The profitable nature of such undertakings as a land
speculation must be greatly enhanced by the vicinity of
the proposed field of operations to this commercial me-
tropolis of the world ; whilst its importance, as a pre-
ventive of the great annual loss of life and property, it is
almost impossible to over estimate. We know that it has
been said that, even if the Burbo be reclaimed, the evil
will not be destroyed, since other banks would imme-
diately form themselves beyond; but if this kind of
assertion be esteemed valid reasoning, a repetition of
such works would, ultimately, connect this country with
Ireland, in much closer bonds than William Pitt ever
anticipated. On the contrary, it may be assumed, that
at the termination of the present banks, the deep water
of the sea commences, and that, therefore, no more banks
are formed.
The Victoria Channel is as fickle as the wind, and how
long it may remain open seems very questionable. The
Rock Channel is now inaccessible, except at and after
flood tide. What security have we then of retaining any
permanent access, unless science be called in to assist
nature, in the manner proposed by Mr. Rennie ? Con-
joined with, and yet distinct in management and working,
is a practical suggestion for turning to account the vast
agricultural elements now running to waste in, and
fouling our noble river. By a simple chemical process
the sewage water is made to deposit all its valuable in-
gredients, which may afterwards be dried and conveyed to
the Burbo Bank, or any other part of the country, just
like guano, but at about 1-6th the cost of that manure,
although it is nearly as valuable as the best, and very
superior to some of the stuff sold under that name. Both
these undertakings are said to offer the inducement of
large per centages on what have been considered very
moderate outlays ; and if the estimates, which are pub-
lished, are in any respect realised, our people need not go
to California or Australia for gold, but may have it a
home production.
In his project to enable every man to become the owner
of his own house, Mr. Ross has happily co nbined the
advantages of benefit building societies with others which
have been sought, but are yet unrealised ; and he has
avoided some of the defects by which the utility of the
building societies is impaired. By arrangement with the
railway companies, low prices for a certain amount of
daily traffic will be secured ; then a tract of land will be
obtained at wholesale prices, and retailed at a cost which
will only cover the necessary expenses for forming streets,
sewers, &c. ; and, in addition, capitalists are to grant
facilities whereby the occupier of a house, who regularly
pays 10 per cent. per annum on the gross cost, will at the
end of 15 years be put into possession of his freehold tene-
ment and grounds. How far such a diffusion of property
is desirable is a moot point amongst political econo-
mists; but of the value of the consequent encourage-
ment of thrifty and steady habits, which will ensue from
the realization of Mr. Ross's third project, (which seems
to be in its present perfected form entirely original,) there
can be no doubt.

Mr. George Rennie thus estimates the cost of reclaim-
ing these sand banks from the sea, and converting them
into good land :

ESTIMATES.

To cost of five miles of breakwater, at £60,000
per mile
To cost of converting 20,000 acres of sand banks
into good land, at £2O per acre
To contingencies, at 15 per cent..

£300,000

400,000
105,000

£805,000

By value of 20,000 acres of made land, at £6O

per acre £1,200,000
Leaving a profit over and above the cost of 395,000
It is very probable, however, that when these works
come to be carried out, the estimates of expenditure might
be found to be under, and those of profit to be over,
stated.. To guard against this contingency, it might not
be unadvisable, considering the great advantages, and, in
fact, pecuniary benefits, which the port of Liverpool and
its dependent interests would derive from this undertaking,
that the deficiency, whatever it might be, should be re-
imbursed to the company carrying on the enterprize, out
of a rate to be levied on the shipping frequenting the port
of id. per ton, and upon imports and exports of 2s. In the
pound of the town dues. This rate would produce :
By 3,700,000 tons of shipping, at id. per t0n...... £7,500
By 2s. in the yond on £107,000 Town Dues 10,500

Expenses off

£lB,OOO
.. 1,000

Total rate,

£17,000

CONDUCT AT LECTURES

To the EDITOR of the LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

Stn,—On Friday evening last I attended the Rev. Mr.
James's lecture at the Collegiate Institution with some of
my family, and was very much pleased by the information
contained in it. I cannot say so much, however, for
the audience, some of whom are habitually inattentive.
There should have been more applause, had it been only
to encourage the lecturer, who did all in his power to
please; and the Secretary ought to try to prevent the
unseemliness of persons walking out at every stage of the
lecture. They should either stay for the whole service,
as at church, or remain at home. Some gentlemen, one
of whom had a white cravat, annoyed many others by
repeated talking and laughing; continued conversations,
solo voce, are not unusual ; and I have even known
courting to go forward in the lecture-room ! As there is
a time for every purpose, so there is also a proper place;
and a place for useful information should not be made an
excuse for other purposes. It is said that when the
large picture in the library was exhibited in London, a
young lady and gentleman were the most frequent visitors.
The artist flattered himself that they admired high art,
but an elopement soon showed that they only admired
each other. Some of the visitors to the lecture may also
be looking out for " good angels," and I wish they may
get them.—Yours. A LADY.
28th Feb., 1852.

ANOTHER GAROTTE CA SE.—On FHday evening, a man,
named William Phillips, was stopped by a gang of some
five or six ruffians, in Liahtbody-street, Limekiln-lane.
After nearly strangling the unfortunate man, they suc-
ceeded in robbing him at one shilling aid a knife.