The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-12-22 00:00:00

ARRIVAL OF TILE STEAM-SHIP ANTELOPE

FROM RIO

The auxiliary steam-ship Antelope arrived at this port
yesterday afternoon from the Brazils. having left Rio on
the 2nd November. Bahia the 13th, and Pernambuco the
19th. She has been retarded on her passage by easterly
winds, hut on the whole ber voyage is very satisfactory—
occupviag a period of three months and eight days out
and home, calling at the ports both ways, and discharging
and taking in full cargoes. She brings fifteen passengers
and voluminous corre.pondence. The Emperor of Bra-
zils honoured the Antelope with a visit previous to her
leaving Rio, and enjoyed a sail in her round the bay.
Every facility and encourazement has been given by the
authorities in Brazil, who are anxious to promote quick
communication with this country, and it is to be hoped
out own Government will be influenced by the successful
experiment.
The Antelope does not appear to bring any political
news of importanc , either from Brazils or the River
Plate, but there has scarcely yet been time to analyze the
papers received.
Exchange at Rio 28.-4.
The following is an extract from a letter per Antelope
from Rio Janeira

"An immense number of persons have been on board ;
and amongst them the whole of the Ministers, many
senators and deputies, and finally, on the 30th October,
the Emperor honoured us with his presence, and took a
trip down the bay. lle had a fine opportunity of seeing
her work, which she performed exceedingly well, and he
was highly delighted and expressed his sati,faction ; both
he and the whole of the ministers, who also accompanie-I
him, expressing their desire that the company might be
successful and prosperous in their undertaking, and that
they might depend upon every possible protection and as-
sistance being afforded them. The ship went so easy that
the Emperor was not aware she was moving until his at-
tention was called to it."

The following were the passengers, fifteen in number :
Messrs. Thomas Dutton, Prince, Phillip, Vanzellar, and
Harklev Mons. and Madame Veatie and child, Mons.
and Madame Fabesheur, Mons. L. Fabesheur, Captain
Bennett, Mons. Calse, Mons. Roulier, and two others.
We are glad to learn that the ship answered well in
every respect, the screw acting well, and the ship being
also a fast sailer. Her Majesty's steam-packet Daphne
left the same port 17 days before her, bound direct for
Portsmouth, and has not yet arrived.
The success of the Antelope is exceedingly gratifying,
inasmuch as she is the first merchant sailing ship with
auxiliary steam driving tie screw, that has performed so
long and rapid a transatlanticvoyage. Her performances
reflect the highest credit on her intellectual commander,
Coptain O'Brien. The experiment having realized the
fullest expectations of the spirited proprietors, a regular
line of similar veesels will shortly be established to run
between the two countries ; and the example will doubt-
less be followed by other companies trading to other parts
of the world.

INCREASE IN PRICES OF BREAD STUFFS
AND OTHER ARTICLES OF GENERAL CON-
SUMPTION.

At the commencement of what is, in all probability,
destined to prove a severe winter, not only to our poor, but
to persons of limited incomes, it may not be uninteresting
to glance at the prices of articles of general consumption
now, and compare them with the price of the same articles
six months ago. We have therefore prepared a few data,
which we propose laying before our readers. And first
we take the article of Bread Stuffs.
On the 16th June, 1846, from the circulars of an in-
fluential house before us,•we find that English superfine
flour was selling at 38s. to 40s. per sack, of 280 lbs. On
the 15th Dec. in,tant, there was none of the quality in
the market; but Irish superfine, of nearly the same quali-
ty, brought, in December, 50s. to 515., ar an advance of
more than 25 per cent. The average of wheat for six
weeks ending 6th of June, was 555. 3d. In the six weeks
ending sth December it was 60s. 7d. Good general quali-
ties of oatmeal in June sold at from 28s. 6d to 31s. In
December the prices were 455. to 475., the increase being
over 50 per cent. Indian corn was sold in June at 355. to
365. for white, and 325. 6d. to 345. for red. I❑ December
it was 70s for white, and 71s. to 725. for red, having
doubled its price in the six months. In all other kinds of
grain a rise has taken place.

The prices of the meat market it is not fair to quote at
present, as Christmas is a season at which feeding stuffs
are dear, whilst the demand for butcher's meat is great.
It is a fact, however, that prices have been on the ad-
vance for the past six months; and but for the great
scarcity of fodder our cattle markets must have ruled
much higher. The price of nearly every farm produce is
greatly advanced. Potatoes are beyond the reach of the
poor, and garden produce, apples, turnips, carrots, onions,
Scc., are very dear, whilst fruit is almost a total failure.
We have also an advance in many other articles of con-
sumption. Tallow is ss. per cwt. higher at the close of
the year than in June; and candles and soap are propor-
tionably advanced. Palm oil, used extensively in soap-
making, was at £23 10s. to £26 per ton in June, and was
£35 10s. to £36 in the beginning of December; and has
advanc,d since. Lard, butter, bacon, cheese, &c., are
also very materially higher.
This is a sad state of things to contemplate, together
with a defic'ency of employment for our work people, dur-
ing the winter months. We trust, however, that the
hearts of the wealthy will not be closed against their
poorer neighbours, and that every effort will be made to
alleviate their sufferings.

LITERARY NOTICE.
Christmas and Christmas Carols. London : T. B
Sharpe; Liverpool: G. H. and J. Smyth.

This is aju'dicious. selection of Christmas songs, ex-
quisitely illustrated by a number of most beautiful wood
engravings. The carols consist of the well-known hymns
so frequntly chaunted at this season ; and their beautiful
woodcuts will serve to impress their meaning on the
minds of the young especially. A well-written account of
the original introduction and object of this clsss of compo-
sitions forms the commencement of this pretty little work.

SOUTHERN AND TOXTETH HOSPITAL—On Sunday,
the annual sermon in aid of this most valuable institution
was preached at St. Barnabas's Church, by the Rev.
Thomas Nolan, A.M., incumbent of the church and the
honorary chaplain to the hospital. The Mayor, accom-
panied by his father, (Charles Lawrence, Esq.,) the Town-
clerk, the Clerk of the Peace, and several members of the
Council, walked in procession to Divine service, and were
preceded by the officials of the Corporation in regalia.
The church was. so densely crowded by a respectable
congregation, that there was not a single vacant sitting.'
The reverend gentleman selected for his text the third
chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to Titus, and part of the
eighth verse, and delivered one of those beautiful, im-
pressive. and eloquent discourses upon the fruits of faith.
as exemplified in the life and character of the believer, for
which his public ministry has ever been distinguished.
His appeal was of a most touching and powerful nature.
He also stated that 613 patients had been admitted into
the hospital from the Ist of January, 1845, to the Ist of
January, 1846, and that 1489 out-patients had been
attended to ; making a total of 2132. Forty-three had
died. From the Ist of January, 1846, to the present
time, 551 had been admitted, and 1393 out-patients had
been attended to making a total of 1944. Twenty-eight
had died, The number in the hospital at present was 57,
being only five less than the beds there will accommodate.
The collection amounted to the liberal sum of £B7.
On Wednesday, at St. Silas' Church, after a sermon by
the Rev. Hugh M'Neile, the sum of £2l was collected
for the Lying-in Hospital.
The Rev. William Duncan Long, M.A., Minister of
St. Matthew's, and Afternoon Preacher of Trinity Church,
St. Anne's-street, has been appointed to the Incumbency
of the District Church of St. Bartholomew, Birmingham.
NORTH Corixon.vrioN ScriooLs.—Yesterday forenoon
the annual examination of the children educated at this
excellent establishment took place in the School-house,
Bevington Bush. Amongst the visitors present we ob-
served Messrs. Alderman Horsfall, C. W. Reade. G. G.
o r nby an d
stheo (son of
Revd
tt.
the rector),
aand W. Campbell,
JR
Dover;. Connor,
also a
Campbell
number of ladies, including the Misses Hornby and Mrs.
Reade. The infant scholars were first examined—about
190 in number, mostly girls. They were all neatly, and
some of them tastefully dressed, and appeared to be quite
pleased. After singing Christmas carols, they proceeded
to answer questions on Bible history with readiness and
accuracy. In the simpler rules of arithmetic they showed
astonishing quickness; and the same may be said of their
replies to questions in geography. After further exercises
on scriptural subjects, they repeated and sang in a feeling
manner, " Friends and teachers, fate ye well !" and after
it, " Dearest parents and relations!" The Rev. Rector
Campbell, who presided, said that the attainments of the
children so far were highly sati'factory, and their appear-
ance most interesting, conferring great credit on them-
selves and their teachers, to both of whom it was their
duty to give every encouragement. Here the principles
of true religion and morality were instilled into the minds
of children, and their parents and friends could not do
better than encourage them in their progress. Mr.
Alderman Horsfall signified his gratification in accordance
with the reverend gentlemen. Many of the children's
parents were present, and were deeply affected. On the
company leaving the room, the little ones sang the
National Anthem with good effect. The examination
of the elder boys and girls then took place in the
large upper school-room, which is very appropriate for
such au occasion. They sang a hymn in an admirable
manner, and a prayer followed? The boys, and afterwards
the girls, read portions of Scripture, and afterwards ably
replied to numerous questions on the same, put by the
Rev. Mr. Dover, showing that they had all been well in-
structed in the meaning of the several passages, and had
in memory the principal facts of revelation, &c. Rector
Campbell, who had business to attend to elsewhere, said,
before leaving, that he was extremely well satisfied with
the proficiency exhibited, which must also be a source of
gratification to their teachers, and their parents and re-
lations, many of whom were present. The latter ought,
he thought, to he grateful for the opportunity their children
bad of obtaining a sound religious education, and ought to
do all in their power to keep •them under so admirable a
system of tuition. The pupils, who were all clean and
neat, were then briefly examined in arithmetic, history,
geography, &c., and acquitted themselves most creditably
throughout. The writing was shown in the lower large
room, and included excellent and bold specimens of pen-
manship. There was also a well-executed lithographic
print by one of the scholars (Samuel Webster) who had
left, and had become apprentice to a lithographer. The
examination closed with " God save the Queen," sung
with great effect by the whole school. Buns and oranges
were distributed to all, and while they discussed them,
the Rev. Mr. Connor addressed them in a feeling manner.
A large number of the parents and relations of the scho-
lars were present, and were deeply and proudly interested
in the proceedings. Prizes of books, and, in some in-
stances, clothing were then made to several of the most
proficient—chiefly of those whose friends were the
poorest. There were present 220 girls ; and 337 boys out
of 400 whose names appear on the books.