The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-21 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MERCURY.

Slit,—ln making some comments on a speech which I de-
livered at a recent dinner in Scotland Ward, you are pleased
to say, that on the occasion when Mr. V. Higgins threatened
me with any vote of censure in the council, " I shewed less
knowledge of the respect due to the chair, than would have
been evinced in a common debating club." I cannot tell
what are the practices of debating clubs, never having been a
member of such a society. If you (the editor of the Mercury)
have ever been a member of such a club, I have no doubt
that common decency has been set at defiance, as much as
you have outraged common honesty and truth in your vitu-
perative attack against me. I refer you and the public to the
council proceedings of October last. It will be observed
that Mr. William Rathbone, either not knowing how, or else
not willing to conduct himself with propriety, made an inso-
lent and personal allusion to myself, saying that the remarks
which I had made arose from the iniquity of my mind. I
appealed tb the chair if that language was to be tolerated.
The mayor rebuked him. A second time he attempted to in-
dulge his splenetic feeling; a second time I called him to
order. A third time he made the attempt ; and a third time
I appealed to the chair to protect me from his rancorous
abuse. Mr. Rathbone being foiled in his wishes, then it was
that Mr. V. Riggings, seeing the cloud upon the brow, the
curl upon the lip, and the acid and exacerbated expression of
Mr. R.'s countenance, went to him in a most soothing man-
ner, endeavouring to compose him ; but, at the same time,
making himself perfectly ridiculous. " Oh," said Mr. Rig-
gings, "we must pass a vote of censure." Undoubtedly a
vote of ceasure ought to have been passed on Mr. Rathbone
at that time. There have also been other occasions in which
he and other liberals deserved votes of censure, but, I trust,
the wards will censure them as Mr. Higgins has been censured
in Lime-street.

I am also accused of speaking disrespectfully of Mr.
Blackburn ; you say he is a very estimable man. In his
private capacity I fully accord it. In public, when he was
one of those who encouraged Mr. Dalton to expose the
errors, the bigotry, and the prejudices of the Papal Church,
he then deserved the appellation. When, however, he at-
tacked the Church of England from its assimilation to Po-
pery, at the time when he was one of the promoters and
teachers of the Romish doctrines, he is neither estimable not
consistent. When he once characterised those who opposed
the present system adopted in the Corporation Schools, as a
base, howling, and malignant faction, that was neither esti-
mable nor gentlemanly. When, at a meeting of the council,
the petition of the operative Protestants was under discussion,
I said that it was my opinion that the member for Lime-
street Ward went further than myself in his feelings against
the Roman Catholic doctrines, and was interrupted by him;
he said; it was untrue ; the mayor called him to order ; he
aggravated the offence ; this was treating the chair with dis-
respect. In a few minutes afterwards, in his own speech, he
confessed that he thought he was further opposed to the Ro-
man Catholic religion than the gentleman opposite. With
respect to your conduct towards Mr. Robert Jones, even
before Mr. Coglan brought any charge, you made remarks
in your paper extremely offensive towards that gentleman.
During the enquiry before the Town Clerk, you did not ab-
stain from indulging in rancorous strictures, which, although
they did not, might have influenced Mr. Radcliffe.
Pending the enquiry before the committee, you pursued the
same improper course ; and, even after the report of that
committee, you have still indulged, in what I must consider
as most slanderous expressions. The testimony of Mr. John
Davies, of Hunter-street, of Mr. Holden, and about half a
score more, so fully acquits Mr Jones, that nothing which
you can say can injure him.
In future, when you refer to proceedings in the council,
look at your own columns, for your reporter appears a gen-
tleman of honour and integrity, and not swayed by any po-
litical bias.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
Sandhills, 20th January, 1840.

ISAAC HOLMES.

Lord Sandon has returned from his visit to Italy. He was
in his place in the House of Commons on the first night of
the session.

PRIZE-FIGHTERS.—Fisher and two others of the lowest
class of this gentry were arraigned, at Kirkdale sessions,
before the Rev. Mr. Formby and T. Rodick, Esq. for
drawing together large bodies of disorderly people and light-
ing, at Aintree. They pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to
twelve months' imprisonment in Lancaster Castle. This ex-
emplary punishment may teach such persons, that prize-fight-
ing will be no more tolerated within the county than within
the borough, and will surely operate, hereafter, as a warning
to them to desist from such brutal practices.

LIVERPOOL GREAT STEEPLE CHASE.---The betting on
this affair is becoming very animated. Lottery, the winner
of the chase of last year, from his performance on that occa-
sion and his prowess since, has been elevated to the post of
first favourite. The following have been the prevalent odds :
—5 to 2 agst. Lottery ; 7 to 1 agst. Seventy-four ; 20 to 1
agst. Physician.

THE QUEEN'S MARRIAGE !—The approaching nuptials of
our lovely and beloved Queen are hailed with intense delight
by Englishmen of all ranks and parties ' • and it is supposed
that more marriages will be celebrated on that auspicious
day, than have taken place on any other for the last century.
Many maiden ladies, who have hitherto rejected all addresses,
are determined to follow the laudable example of Her Ma-
jesty ; and not a few of those votaries of selfish celibacy,
'yclept old bachelors, are equally determined to abjure a
single life—nor can too much be said in praise of such wise
resolves. " He," as D'lsraeli beautifully observes, "who is
no husband, may sigh for that devoted tenderness which is
at once bestowed and received; and tears may start in the
eyes of him, who can become a child among children, and is
yet no father." To all about to enter into this most felici-
tous state of wedlock, the best possible advice which can be
given, is, that they will book the following memorandum :
N.B. "Atkinson's Infants' Preservative," incomparably the
best medicine for young children ! established upwards of
fifty years ! ! and of which 100,000 bottles are now annually
sold ! I !—See advt.
THE HARBOUR OF WEXFORD.—A petition from the mer-
chants and others of Liverpool is now receiving signatures,
in the Underwriters' Rooms, relative to improving the har-
bour of Wexford. The petition sets forth, that the state of
the harbour is destructive to the shipping interest, in conse-
quence of a bar of shifting sand lying across the entrance ;
that 27 years ago the bar was 19 feet deep at low water,
whereas it is now only four feet i • that it has increased two
feet within the last two years, and that, from its tendency to
increase, it threatens speedily to impede the navigation ; that
the bar increases the price of imports, and decreases the
quantity and value of the exports ; that the present entrance
cannot be improved, and that it will be indispensible to make
a new one, on a line with the set of the tides ; that the pro-
jected improvement has been proposed to be effected without
pecuniary aid from government, or levying tolls on the Eby:
ping interest, the undertakers expecting to he repaidrh.
reclamation of the submerged lands within the harl?ou ,rytaanndt
that the projected improvement would suit the P°
purposes of extensive fisheries, a harbour of refuge,
lellpackettiorn
intercourse, and foreign commerce. The petit,'"
other advantages, and concludes by praying wll it may es.
ceive the approbation of the house.
COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.—Mr. T • D. Carter, the re_
ners, of Aldersgate,
presentative of the house of Messrs. Jones, Wiggins, and
Teape, the extensive wholesale
statio
London, having rendered hiniseltzxtremely agreeable to the by manly man-
his g ent le
ners and business qualifications,
stationers of Liverpool, during the many years he has visited
this town, a party invited that gentleman to a dinner, on
Thursday afternoon,
at the Adelphi Hotel. Mr. Thomas
Taylor, of Castle-street, was in the chair, and Mr. David
Marples, of Lord-street, occupied the vice-chair. The din-
ner was prepared in Mr. Radley's usual style of excellence,
and the wines were choice. Mr. Carter's health was pro-
posed in a complimentary speech, and it was drunk by the
company in the most marked style of respect to their highly-
esteemed guest. Mr. Carter, sensibly affected by so gratify-
ing a proof of the esteem of his friends, returned thanks in a
feeling and appropriate speech. The evening was spent in
the utmost harmony, and the party did not break up till a
late hour. We congratulate our friend, Mr. Carter, on this
gratifying evidence of the trade, in Liverpool, of their appro-
bation of his conduct whilst acting as the representative of
the highly respectable house of Jones, Wiggins, and Teape.
VOORSANGER'S PENS. —We have used Voorsanger's
metallic pens, which are advertised in another column, and
can confidently recommend them to public adoption. They
are not liable to corrosion, and they give a free and clear
stroke. They are at the same time very durable.
EARLY LAMBS.—On Wednesday last, two of the East
India sheep at the Zoological Gardens produced each a lamb.
The animals have latterly been kept in the open air ; but,
since their accouchement, they have been removed in-doors,
and with their Anglo-Indian progeny are doing as well as can
be expected.

We notice by an old paper published 40 years ago, that by
the then constitution of New Jersey, " unmarried women
and widows (of that state) who were of full age and were
worth 133 dollars clear estate, had a right to vote in all elec-
tions."

The following are the Times of Departure from Lime-street,
Liverpool, and from Liverpool-road, Manchester :
TIMES OF DEPATURE
FROM LIVERPOOL AND MA CHESTER TO BIRMINGHAM,
3 30 a.m. First Class, joins London Train at 8 30 a.m.
6 a.m. Mixed
__ 19
8 15 a.m. First Class
10 30 a.m. First Class
12 15 p.m. First Class
4 p.m. Mixed
7 p.m. First Class
P. 12
FROM BIRMINGHAM TO LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER
2 15 a.m. First Class—Meets N. Union Train to Preston
at Parkside

1 15 p.m,
4 p.m,
6 p.m

6 a.m. Mixed Train do.
11 30 a.m. First Class
2 IS p.m. First Class
a 45 p.m. First Class—Meets N. Union Train to Preston
at Parkside.

• 3 30 p.m. Mixed
ti p.m. First Class
On Sunday the Departures will be
3 30 a.m. First Class, joins London Train at 8 30 a.m
8 15 a.m. Mixed
/ID I 30 p.m
10 30 a.m.
7 p.m. ~ PP 12
2 15 a.m. First Class
7 30 a.m. Mixed
11 30 a.m. „
245 p.m. ~
The Trains on Sundays atop at First Class Stations only

LIVERPOOL AND MA

FROM MANCHESTER TO L'POOL.
First Class Second Class
- Morning.. 7 0 Morning
9 0 „ ..10 0 „
11 15 ..11 45 „
2 0 Aftern. ..4,2 45 Aftern.
5 0 „ 5 30
7 15 Evening.. 7 15 Mixed
Stop only at Newton & Prkside
is Train does not start till Three.
NDAYS.
First Class Second Class
8 0 Morning.. 7 0 Mornin
5 0 Aftern. .. 5 30 Aftern.
7 15 Evening.. 7 15 Mixed
AND
Stop only & Prkside
FROM MANCHESTER.
9 0 Morning.. First Class
11 15 „
2 45 Aftern. Second
.Class
5 0 „ Mixed
715 ~ .. First Class
N DAYS.
I 7 0 Morning.... Mixed
530 Afternoon.. „
ILTON.

FROM L'POOL TO MANCRESTER.
First Class Second Class
- Morning.. 7 0 Morning
845 „ 10 0 „
11 0 ..11 45 „
2 0 Aftern. 2 30 Aftern.
445 „ 530 „
7 15 Evening .. 7 15 Mixed I
Stop only at Newton & Prkside
* Except on Saturdays, when ti
ON so
First Class Second Class
9 0 Morning.. 7 0 Morning
5 0 Aftern. .. 5 30 Aftern.
7 15 Evening .. 7 Is Mixed
Stop only at Newton & Prkside I
pro PRESTON
FROM LIVRRPOOL.
8 4S Morning.. First Class
1 0 „
PP
2 30 Aftern. .. Second Class
4 4S „ .. Mixed
7 Is „ .. First Class
ON SU

7 0 Morning.... Mixed
530 Afternoon .. „

FROM LIVERPOOL.
8 45 Morning.... First Class
II 0
2 30 Afternoon .. Second Class
5 30

ON' SU.
7 0 Morning.... Second Class
5 30 Afternoon.. ~
TO ST. I

PROM LIVERPOOL.
7 15 Morning.... Second Class
10 0
I,

..
11 45
••
2 30 Afternoon.. If
5 30 •• • • • • ••

CHESTER RAILWAY.

ON SC:
7 0 Morning.... Second Class
5 30 Afternoon ..

TO RUNG
FROM LIVERPOOL. I

FROM siANcuEsru.a.
9 o Morning.... First Class
11 15
2 as Afternoon .. Second Class
5 30
NDAYS.
Of
I 7 0 Morning.... Second Class
5 30 Afternoon .. „
EiELENS.

7 15 Morning.... Second Class
11 45
Se
5 30 Afternoon ..

FROM MANCHESTER.
7 30 Morning.... Second Class
10 0
11 45 Pt
Pt
2 45 Afternoon .. PP
5 311 •••• rr
'DAYS.

7 0 Morning.... Second Class
5 30 Afternoon ..
:ORN GAP.

FROM MANCHESTER.
7 30 Morning.... Second Class
11 45
5 30 Afternoon ..
SP
NDAYS.

ON SU.
7 0 Morning.... second Class I
5 30 Afternoon
OP

7 0 Morning.... Second Class
5 30 .. Afternoon „

ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.—Last night we paid a visit to
the Royal Amphitheatre, for the purpose of being able to
speak experimentally of the style and character of the Tour-
nament which the spirited manager, Mr. Ducrow, has intro-
duced, on the same scale as at Astleys. It is impossible to
speak too highly of the taste and magnificence which pervades
the entire spectacle, or of the care with which even the mi-
nutest detail is supplied. No trouble or cost, it is evident,
has been regarded in what is called the " getting up" of the
piece ; and the correctness of the costumes, armour, bearings,
and banners, as far as we had time to observe, we can confi-
dently affirm. The double stage effects are very imposing,
and they called forth a general burst of applause. Altogether,
a more splendid pageant was never produced in Liverpool.
The remaining performances consisted of scenes in the circle,
of which we shall take another opportunity of speaking, and
of The Idiot of Heidelberg Castle. The performance of the
Idiot by Mr. Ducrow is well known to be a very superior
effort. Such attractions as these deserve support, and ac-
cordingly we were glad to find that the public of Liverpool
appreciate them—as was manifested by the crowded benches
of last evening.

THE RIVAL EXPRESSES : TRAVELLING AT THE RATE
OP FORTY MILES AN HOUR !—The bags of the packet-ship
Siddons, Capt. Palmer, which anchored in Formby Channel
shortly before noon on Wednesday last, were not landed
until half-an-hour after the departure of the Grand Junction
Company's 121 train, the last which goes through to London
until the mail train, which starts at seven o'clock at night.
As it was desirable to have the Message of Mr. President
Van Buren in London as early as possible, for publication in
the papers of the following morning, shortly after one o'clock
an agent for several London morning papers applied to the
directors of the Grand Junction Railway Company for an
express engine to convey a messenger with despatches, the
object being either to overtake the 12} train, or, failing in
that, to catch the six-o'clock train from Birmingham to
London. As soon as possible after permission had been
granted, the engine and tender, with the messenger standing
on top of the latter, were of at full speed. The 121 train were
overtaken at Stafford, twenty-six miles from Birmingham,
which station the messenger reached in time, of course, to
go by the five-o'clock train to town. Snugly ensconced in
the railway carriage, the messenger flattered himself,. no
doubt, that he was beyond the reach of any competitor in
the news line, and that he, and he alone, would exclu-
sively furnish London with the President's Message. But
this was not to be. No sooner was another news-agent,
who knew not that express engines were ever granted,
informed of the flight, of his rival, than he, trm, ap-
plied to the directors of the Grand Junction Company,
who were sitting, for an express engine. At first, the
directors hesitated to grant this second request; but, in
consideration that no intimation had been made to him of
the intended despatch of the first express engine, and from a
desire on their part to show neither favour nor partiality,
they finally, under the peculiar circumstances of the case,
granted the request. Captain Clether, the active and obli-
ging manager for the company, ran the messenger up the
tunnel in a car ; stating on the way, that there was just a
chance, that, when he reached the Edge-hill station, there
might not be an engine with its steam up. Luckily, how-
ever, there was one quite ready, so far as steam was con-
cerned, but it had to be moved on the line, and that occupied
above a quarter of an hour. Captain Clether, however ex-
erted himself so heartily in the business, and urged the men
so earnestly in the work, that it was accomplished in the
shortest time possible. At twenty minutes past two o'clock
nearly an hour after the starting of the first express engine,
the second one, the messenger and a youth standing on the
tender, was off like lightning. The object, in this case, was
to reach Birmingham in time for the six o'clock train. So
rapid, however, was the speed of the engine, with merely its
its tender, that it won became evident to the parties, that it
was just possible to reach Birmingham in time for the 5 o'clock
train. The steam was, accordingly, kept up to the highest
pitch, and precisely at three minutes past five the engine darted
into the station. The five o'clock train had not, fortunately,
started : so that the rivals proceeded to town in the same
train, the first in happy ignorance of the close propinquity of
the second, though the fatter had caught a glimpse of the
former! We have said, that the distance between Liverpool
and Birmingham was performed in 2 hours 43 minutes ; but
from this time must be deducted, at least, 23 minutes occu-
pied in taking in coke and water at six stations, and by an
obstruction on the line near Birmingham. Now, the distance
between the extreme points is 97 miles, which having be en
accomplished in 2 hours and 30 minutes, the actual average
velocity of the engine running, or, rather, flying along the
rails must have been very nearly FORT? MILES PER HOUR !
The motion of the machine was quite steady, and the
messenger contrived to read, until the air, rushing against
his face, tilled his eyes with water so as to prevent read-
ing. The cold was intense, and the wind could almost be
felt. When the engine was at its full speed, the parties on
the machine could not make each other hear, although the
voice was exerted to its highest pitch, such was the effect of
the " mighty rushing wind" on the sense of hearing. For
our own part, if we could have our choice, when our only
object was to pass from one point to the other, we should
prefer flying at the hurricane speed of forty miles an hour.
It would, we can assure our readers, be much pleasanter
than travelling at the comparatively slow rate of 20 miles per
hour, if, instead of being starved by the cold and cut in two
by the wind, by standing on the tender, the traveller were
snugly ensconced in a railway carriage. Having tried and
approved of a speed of forty miles in the hour, our friend,
the express messenger, says, that he will be impatient to try
the promised velocity, on the Great Western Railroad, of
sixty !—Albion...

ACCIDENT TO LORD ABINGER.—On Wednesday, as the Rt.
Hon. Lord Abinger was crossing Parliament-street, on his
return from presiding as Chief Baron of her Majesty's Court
of Exchequer, at Westminster Hall, he was struck down by
the pole of a carriage, which he had not perceived in time to
escape from,
i and was in imminent danger of being crushed
under the wheels of the carriage,
ktv be e ianrge withha greativy to stated i ific
thatulty
that the horses were stoppaj.
his Lordship was not in the least hurt. He attended his
judicial duties in the Court of Exchequer next morning.
ARISTOCRATIC Nor toNS.—Really we cannot but feel
amused when we consider who the men are who would per-
suade our Sovereign that the plebeian origin of Sir Robert
Peel unfitted him for personal communication in his capacity
of premier with her Majesty. We cannot avoid asking who
are the " friends of the people" who look with such supreme
contempt, and would not suffer their talents and intelligence
to come between " the wind and their hostilities ?" Why;
Lord Durham, a man of yesterday, such a stickler for adula-
tion and the forms of respect, that we would not be surprised
to hear of his having knocked down a servant for not bowing
with sufficient humility to his bilious-faced lordship. Then
there are others of your liberal Radicals so much ashamed of
common-place names that they must assume others to which
they have as much right as Ikey Solomons to that of Nebu-
chadnezzar. For instance, Mr. Tennison becomes D'Eyn-
court ; Sir John Brown becomes Sir John Deßeauvoir ; Sir
Denham Jephson is metamorphosed into Sir Denham Nor-
reys ; Mr. Thistlethivaite would fain have an old Norman
title—O'Connell, the son of , would he Prince of
Iveragh, and, unauthorised, takes supporters to his arms; and
the Marquis of Westminster would be thought a descendant
of Hugh Lupus, nephew to the Conqueror, when it is well
known that the first gentleman of his family was an architect
in Shrewsbury, who was patronised by the Middletons, of
Chirk Castle, where, if we mistake not, his portrait now is.
Yet, these and such others are the men, who, forgetting
their own origin, would turn up their aristocratic (?) noses
at a man their equal in birth, and far their superior in every-
thing which can command respect or veneration.--Limerick
Standard.

THE BLESSINGS or STEAM.—The steam navigation of the
Atlantic in twelve days, in opposition to the predictions of
some of our ablest engineers, and the rapid extension of
railway communication through every part of England, are
two of the most striking instances of the triumph of the
scientific arts, and of the blessings which these arts confer
upon the community. London and Edinburgh will speedily
be brought within less than a day of each other. The luxu-
ries and benefits which characterise each spot of the island
will be concentrated within the reach of all; and in this
abridgement of space and time, the whole habits of our
social being will suffer a corresponding change. The mutual
interests of individuals, as well as of communities, will be
brought within the sphere of their mutual actions. New oc-
cupations will be held out to the industrious ; new and better
pursuits to the idle ; and fresh objects of sympathy to the
benevolent. We shall thus see more of our own country,
and know more of our fellow-citizens—of their opinions,
their feelings, their sufferings, and their aspirations ; and, in
thus becoming better acquainted with the lot of others, we
shall learn to be better contente4l with our own. If famine
should light upon any corner of the land, the commissariat
of more fortunate districts will speedily arrive with abund-
ance. If pestilence should waste it, the genius of humanity
• will be quickly summoned to relief. if insurrection should
alarm it, the arm of justice and of the law will soon be at.
their rescue. The concentration of space and time, in shorts
will add to the security, the wealth and the gTandeur of the
nation.—Edinburgh Review.

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