The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-05-24 00:00:00

attendance of the home trade, and but few foreign
buyers. Up to the present time this series has
gone off at about the ruling prices of last February
sales, for low and middle class fleece Wools; but
on good combing Port Philip and skin Wool an
advance of id. to id. per lb. has been realized.
The sales of East India and other low Wools will
commence on the 30th instant.

SILK.—In their semi-monthly circular just issued,
Messrs. T. and H. Littledale say :—The transactions
have been confined principally to China Silks, for
which there has been an active demand, and several
parcels have changed hands at an improvement of
6d. to ls. per lb. Since the advices from China of
26th March, importers have increased their previous
limits, and a further advance is confidently ex-
pected, and such is the firm tone the market now
assumes that importers and dealers show but little
disposition to sell at present rates. The arrivals of
Italian Silk are very limited, and these Silks are
still relatively higher than any other. Brussa and
Persian Raws remain stationary. Our home manu-
facturers as well as throwsters are nos* fully em-
ployed, and the export trade is unabated.
IRON.—There are some gloomy rumours afloat
as to the position and prospects of the Iron trade,
owing to the disarrangement caused by the number
of speculative contracts entered into for Iron not
yet made. The panic caused by the failure of Mr.
Attwood has not yet subsided, and last week Mr.
Griffiths, of Wolverhampton, was reported a de-
faulter. There was some talk of reducing Iron 10s.
a ton, but it is believed that it will not be persisted
in. Glasgow Pig Iron is reported to-day at 51s. to
51s. 6d. per ton.

THE ROYAL MAIL STEAM-SHIP ARABIA, Judkins,
commander, sailed from the Mersey on Saturday, at 9 45,
a.m., for New York, with the usual mails.
THE SCREW STEAM-SHIP GLASGOW, which left the
Clyde on the 23rd ult., arrived at New York on the 6th
instant, after a run of thirteen days and fourteen hours.
FATAL ACCIDENT TO A BOY.—Yesterday, an inquest
was held before the borough coroner on the body of a
boy, aged ten years, who had met with his death by fall-
ing from a spout into the yard of a house, whilst taking a
bird's nest. In the course of his fall the deceased's head
came in contact with the edge of a water tub, and was
almost severed from his body. A verdict of accidental
death was returned.

STAITE'S ELECTRIC LIGHT has been shown every
evening during the past week from the electric tower,
Prince's-pier, and has been very much admired. The rays
of the electric light have enabled the placards at the rear
of the George's Baths, George's-pier, to be read dis-
tinctly. The rays have also been thrown equally on each
of the approaches to the Landing-stage, attracting the at.
tention of every passer-by. In the absence of Stevenson's
holopothel rings, reflectors had to be procured from Lon-
don, which were tested on Tuesday night. The effect was
similar to that proposed to be introduced by means of
Stevenson's system, combined with that of Fresnel. The
light was steady and continuous throughout the whole of
the experiment, and burned as steadily as en ordinary light.
ELECTION OF HONORARY SURGEONS AT THE DIS-
PENSARY.—Yesterday a special meeting of the subscribers
to the dispensary was held in the Clarendon-rooms, for
the purpose of electing two honorary surgeons in place of
Mr. Long and Dr. Sandie. There was a numerous
attendance of subscribers. There were four candidates for
the vacant office, Mr. Lowndes, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Des-
mond, and Mr. Hulme. Mr. Willis proposed, and Mr.
Francis Haywood seconded, the nomination of Mr.
Desmond to one of the vacant offices ; Mr. W. Bennett
proposed, and Mr. Thos. Milner seconded, Mr. Huirne ;
Mr. James Bateson proposed, and Mr. J. S. Fletcher
seconded, Mr. Lowndes; and Mr. J. H. Macrae pro-
posed, and Mr. F. S. Hall seconded, Mr. Lynch. The
polling then commenced, and was kept up with consi-
derable spirit until three o'clock, when Messrs. Lowndes
and Desmond were declared the successful candidates.
THE WEED AND THE EXCISE.—THREE CAUTIONS TO
SMUGGLERS.—The police-court of yesterday was prolific
in cases of peculiar interest to those who love to indulge
in genuine effusions of smoke, without being at the ex-
pense of paying the duty on the fragrant weed, which is
so ungraciously imposed upon tobacco. In the first
place, William Al`Gowan for introducing nibs. of to-
bacco from California, which he endeavoured to hide in
his chest, was ordered to pay a fine of 205., or go
to prison for five days.—James Smith, another seaman,
for a like offence, was fined in 203. ; in default of pay-
ment, to go to gaol for ten days. In this case the pri-
soner alleged that he had bought the tobacco on shore on
Saturday, and that it amounted only to three ounces;:
but it appeared that the quantity was not only greater
than what he named, but likewise that the weed had been
disposed, for safety, about various nooks and corners of
his dress,—some in his boots, and another portion in the
lining of his pantaloons. The third case was that of Ro-
bert Williams, who had been apprehended with 14
ounces of tobacco in his possession, and who was fined in
205., in default of payment to go to prison for ten days.
LIVERPOOL DOMESTIC MISSION.—The annual general
meeting of the Liverpool Domestic Mission Society was
held at the schools of the Hope-street church last night.
Charles Booth, Esq., occupied the chair. After the,
preliminary religious exercises, the Rev. Francis Bishop,
agent of the society, read a lengthy and interesting report.
from which it appeared that the mission was in a most
efficient, and even flourishing, condition. The Rev.
James Martineau, minister of Hope-street church, moved
the first resolution, in which was embodied a very grace-
ful tribute of sympathy to Mr. Bishop, in a recent sad
visitation with which he has been afflicted. Messrs. T. B.
Blackburne, Harworth, and Berry, respectively seconded
the resolution, which was unanimously adopted. The
financial account, which was of a highly satisfactory
character, was adopted by the meeting ; and various re-
marks were afterwards made by gentlemen present. The
attendance was large.
DARING BURGLARY IN WARWICKSHIRE.—On Satur-
day, the premises of a farmer, named Perkins, about a
mile from Coleshill, and eleven miles from Birmingham,
were entered by three or four men. Mr. Perkins and his
wife, an elderly couple, had retired to bed, and about mid-
night the latter was roused by a noise under the window.
She looked out and was accosted by some men, who said
they wanted water. She directed them to the pump, but
one of them replied that they wanted to come into the
house; and they began an attack, first by throwing stones
at the window, and then by battering the door. The old
couple set to work bravely in preparing a defence,—Mrs.
Perkins barricading the door so effectually that no en-
trance could be made in that direction. Her husband,
meanwhile, made his guns ready, and met the foremost
burglar on the stairs, just after the whole party had suc-
ceeded in forcing an entrance through one of the lower
windows. As the fellow continued to advance despite the
warning that he would be shot, the old man fired, and
the burglar fell. The others then beat a retreat, carrying
their wounded comrade with them ; and on Monday it
was found that a man, frightfully wounded, had been ad-
mitted into the Birmingham hospital on the previous day.
BRITISH MUSEUM.—No fewer than 16,665 persons vi-
sited this exhibition on Whit-Monday • the Layard dis-
coveries attracting especial notice. A happy holiday feel-
ing was generally observed throughout the day.
DUTIES ON SPIRITS.—The bill to impose new customs'
duties on spirits has been printed. From the 21st of
April last the duties on spirits, the produce of British
possessions, if imported into Scotland, is ss. the gallon ;
and if imported into Ireland 3s. Bd. Similar duties are
to be levied on rum and rum shrub.

STRIKES.—The South Shields shipwrights struck on
Wednesday. They were content to receive 275. per week,
provided the masters allowed them half an hour at four
o'clock for tea, while employed at new work. They now
ask 30s. per week, or the half-hour per day. One master
has complied. The master joiners have refused to comply
with the demand of the men for an advance to 275. per
week, and are clearing out their shops as their contract
are completed. The journeymen tailors of South Shields,
struck work yesterday week for an advance from 3s. 6d
to 4s. per day. Thirteen masters have agreed to the terms.
GOLD FROM AUSTRALIA.—The following brief statis-
tics of population and the export of gold will be interest-
ing :—" At the end of /852 it is calculated that the value
of the precious metal exported from Victoria was no less.
than £16,000,000, from Sydney £3,500,000 ; total,
£19,500,000, or, in round numbers, 20 millions sterling.
The yield in the beginning of 1553 was quite in proportion,
if not larger. The population of the Australian colonies
is now probably close on 700,000, and from them it is an-
ticipated that in 1853 will be collected the enormous re-
venue of three millions sterling. That of Victoria will
reach two millions ; that of Sydney .C600,0a) ; that of
Van Diemen's Land about £200,000 ; that of New
Zealand, now that large gold fields have been discovered,
will doubtless make up the difference."
A TROUBLESOME SPECTATOR.— ThOM3S Reid, de-
scribed as a merchant, was charged at Marlborough-
street, on Thursday, with having interrupted the per-
formance of the incantation scene in Macbeth, at the
Princess's Theatre, the previous night„k witness named
Bryant proved that the defendant, who seemed the worse
for drink, kept calling out, very much to the annoyance
of the audience, " Stir it up ; why don't you stir it up ?"
This was directed to the Witcher, who were busied in

compounding the " hellbroth." As. the defendant would
not desist from his interruption he was removed to the
station-house. The defendant in explanation said the
whole thing appeared to him so ludicrous that he could
not help laughing and expressing his feeling audibly.
Mr. Bingham inflicted a fine of 35., which was paid.
THE ATTEMPT AT EXTORTION FROM MR. GLADSTONE.
—The lovers of scandal will be disappointed to find that
the proceedings at Marlborough-street, in which the
Chancellor of the Exchequer was concerned, have ended
simply in the committal of the party who intended to ex-
tort money or employment from him by the threat of ex-
posure. Many ill-natured remarks having been made—
as might have been expected—on the hour at which the
Right Honourable Gentleman proceeded to the Opera,
being the hour of the ballet—and on the route which he
selected for walking home, via Panton-street and Oxen-

don-street; we think it due to Mr. Gladstone to state
that a weekly contemporary, devoted to his interests,
accounts for it all by reminding its readers that the
Right Hon. Gentleman is one of the Acting Committee
of the Church Penitentiary Association.—John Bull.

EXTRAORDINARY BANK ROBBERY.--On Saturday
forenoon a young man, named Andrew Wallace, pro-
ceeded to the Western Bank, Glasgow, to cash a check
for„ £7OO. The teller handed him the money, consisting

of four £lOO notes, five £lO notes, and the remainder in
small notes. Wallace counted the large notes, amount-
ing to 4150, and laid them aside on the counter, while he
proceeded to look over the small ones. When so engaged,

a well dressed person came behind him on the left side,

and hurriedly asked him to point out the manager's room.
Wallace looked round, and, indicating with his band,
said "to the left." In a moment the parcel of large
notes, viz., £450 had disappeared. At the instant a man
was seen hurriedly receding from the glass door which
opens to the street. He was pursued, but 113 d mingled
with tho crowd, and mapod,