The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-13 00:00:00

JONES V. LITTLER.

This was an action for slanderous words, tried before Baron
Rolfe at the last assizes for Liverpool, when a verdict was re-
turned for the plaintiff, with 40s. damages.
Mr. Kelly now moved to enter a nonsuit, or for a new
trial. upon the ground that the evidence was not sufficient to
sustain a verdict. According to the learned counsel's state-
ment, the plaintiff was a brewer, and bad lately been elected
a town-councillor for the borough of Liverpool. The de-
fendant disapproved of the plaintiff's election, and at a meet-
ing which took place after a coursing match, used the slan-
derous words which formed the foundation for the action.
The words charged the plaintiff with being a rogue, having
been compelled to leave Westmoreland for dishonesty, and
having been in a sponging-house within a fortnight for debt.
The defendant was asked whether he meant to apply his ob-
servations to Mr. Jones, the brewer, of Rosehill, and he
said, " Yes, it is him." It was objected to at the trial, that
as the words were not actionable in themselves, it was
necessary to prove the averment in the declaration that the
words were spoken not only of the plaintiff, but of and con-
cerning the plaintiff in his trade as a brewer ; and that it did
not appear that the language used had any reference to the
plaintiff's trade. The learned judge, however, thought that
as an imputation was made as to the plaintiff's solvency, and
it appeared that he was in trade, it was impossible for the
jury not to infer that the slanderous words were used con-
cerning the plaintiff in his trade. He gave the defendant's
counsel leave, however, to take the opinion of the court on
the question, and this motion was accordingly made.
Mr. Baron Parke thought there was no ground for enter-
ing a nonsuit, but that the learned judge ought to have left
it to a jury to say whether the words were spoken of the
plaintiff in his trade as brewer, and as this question had not
been left to the jury, the defendant was entitled to a rule for
a new trial.

The other Barons concurring, a rule nisi for a new trial
was granted.

The venerable and gallant Lord Lynedoch, now upwards of
ninety years of age, is on board the Howe as a passenger to
Malta, for the benefit of a warm climate in the ensuing
winter.

AN ESCAPE.—A bullock, which had been over-driven,
created considerable alarm in the Strand, on Monday after-
noon. While rushing along at a furious rate, some boys in
their terror ran up the pit entrance to the English Opera
House. They were followed, however, by the infuriated
animal, when one poor little fellow actually fell on his knees,
and prayed to the bullock not to hurt him. With some dif-
ficulty the animal was got away, without doing any injury to
the scared urchins, whom he had thus for some time at his
mercy.

DEATH OF THE PRINCESS BORGHESE.—Our Paris cor-
respondent writes, that intelligence was received in Paris, on
Friday, of the death, at Rome, of the Princess Borgbese,
daughter of the Earl of Shrewsbury.—Morning Post. The
late princess (before her marriage the Lady Gwendaline-
Catherine Talbot) was in her 23d year, having been born
Dec. 3, 1817, was married to the Prince of Sulmona, eldest
son of the Italian Prince Borghese, May 11th, 1835, and in
July of the present year presented him with a son and heir to
the principality and estates.
An anti-spasmodic lately introduced, and which is highly
appreciated under the name of Woodhouse's Ethereal Es-
sence of Ginger, is an agreeable and elegant preparation of
that valuable root, in a very concentrated form, and deserves
the notice of all families ; the Faculty's testimonials to this
preparation is without precedent.—Naval and Military Ga-
zette, March 15.

A CARNIVOROUS HORSE.—Recently a flock of sheep be-
longing to Earl Lovelace were turned into a field at East
Horsley; and on the following morning two were found dead,
and their flesh much torn. The shepherd, suspecting it to
be a dog that had committed the slaughter, was determined
to watch for him; he did so, but to his utter astonishment
saw a horse, belonging to a person named Lucas, running in
the field with the sheep, attack them, kill one, suck the
blood, and eat part of the flesh.—Devises Gazette.

GIGANTIC SKELETON.—As the workmen of Messrs. Parry
and Jones were digging a new paint pit at Llanllianna, near
Amlwch, they discovered, within three feet of the surface, a
stone urn ; on opening which they found a huthan skeleton,
in a high state of preservation, measuring the extraordinay
length of seven feet six inches. The skeleton throughout
was quite proportional to its length, and in a very perfect
condition. The urn appears to have been made horn the
Aberdovey limestone, and had the appearance of being much
corroded by time. It bears no inscription to throw on its
history any rays of information, to gratify the inquiries of the
curious respecting the gigantic " remnant of departed years."
From the rude nature of this urn or coffin, it seems probable
that the body had been first laid in the grave, and limestones
placed round its sides, and on the top only, which, from the
length of time they had lain under ground, had become ce-
mented together.
EAGLES.—The prince of birds is now rarely seen in the
Highlands. for the march of improvement is driving them,
like the Red Indians of America, to the very remotest
mountain solitudes. A pair have long built (above 50 years,
it is said,) near the entrance of the Pass of lnverfarigaig, on
the banks of Loch Ness ; and eagles are still seen in the
western parts of Inverness-shire. In Sutherland we heard of
one (a majestic looking bird) that had been caught in a large
trap, which it had strength to carry to a considerable dis-
tance, till both fell into a lake. A correspondent informs us
that Mr. James Richmond, gamekeeper to Mr. Gladstone, of
Liverpool, has, from September, 1839, to June of this year,
trapped six eagles on a high hill, on the farm of Aughna-
sheen, in Ross-shire. One of the eagles measured, from
tip to tip of the wing, 8 feet 2 inches, and the span of his
claws were GI inches. The noble bird displayed " the terrors
of his beak and lightning of his eye" from the top of a cairn
or monument erected by the gentlemen pursuing the trigo-
nometrical survey. The same gamekeeper has also taken a
number of wild cats, one measuring 3 feet 10 inches, and
another three feet 8 inches.—lnverness Courier.

A Ili3m-nuc.—The learned Dr. Waterhouse, justly de-
nominated the " American Jenner," while professor of na-
tural history in Harvard University some years ago, made
an artificial insect, to the limbs of which he could communi-
cate motion while he held it in his hand. After exhibiting
it to the class he was lecturing, and permitting every pupil to
inspect it, none of them could tell to what class of insects it
belonged, though they all believed it to be a real living crea-
ture, the Doctor thus addressed them :—" I suppose, young
gentlemen, you wish to be informed of the name of this bug;
had you examined it more attentively, you would all have
perceived that it was a hum-buo."

INCARCERATION OF A DEBTOR, AND HIS SPEEDY RE-
LEASE.—On Tuesday last, a poor man was conveyed from
Blackburn to Lancaster Castle, for default of payment of a
debt, amounting to the extraordinary sum of eleven shil-
hugs and nine pence ! ! Our informant says, the debt was
arrear of poor-rates, and that the man was taken by an
officer of the union i in this, however, he may have been
mistaken, but there is no doubt about the man being sent to
prison for the above paltry sum. As soon as the circum-
stance became known among the debtors, the amount, with
an additional sum, was immediately collected and the debt
discharged. The half.naked defaulter was then divested of
his garments, which were "all tattered and torn," and after
being cleaned and shaved, he was dressed, from " top to toe,"
in the habiliments of a gentleman, selected from the ward-
robes of the generous debtors. One of the debtors being hi
posession of that marshalling musical instrument, the life,
he played an appropriate march, and the whole of the debtors
formed a procession, and escorted the prisoner to the door,
which was immediately thrown open, and as soon as the.
newly-clad son of freedom stepped out to breathe the air of
liberty, the castle walls resounded with three times three
huzzas. The poor fellow being furnished with cash, to pay
his fare to Preston, by the railway, and for other necessary
expenses, he proceeded to the station, and actually took his
seat in the same carriage with the person who had been his
guardian to the prison, but the man had not the slightest
recollection of his quondam companion and prisoner. This
act of the generous debtors is worthy of praise ; as a learned
author says, "The poor man who envies not the rich, who
pities his companions in poverty, and who can spare some-
thing for him who is still poorer, is in the realms of humanity
—a king of kings."—Preston Chronicle.

PRACTICAL
.HOAX.—About a fortnight ago, two young
men, in connection with a railway, in this town, came to the
determination of having a little bit of amusement at other
people's expense ; and, in order to do so, it was arranged
that one of them should profess to be newly married ; the
bride elect, according to previous agreement, countenancing
the statement as true. A week of the feigned honeymoon
passed in joyous hilarity, and the shopmates of the mock-
bridegroom were enjoying the thoughts of a glorious " tuck
out," which they were promised, in the shape of a supper,
at a well-known public-house, in the Market-place. The
well remembered night came, and each, "big with expect-
ancy," prepared for rendering ample justice to the respective
joints promised for the occasion, viz—Roast beef, mutton,
fowls of all kinds, soups, pies, tarts, &c., to conclude with
the luxury of custards, cream-cheese, &c. Several of the
invited guests took the trouble, in the course of the day, to
call at the inn, to make full and satisfactory enquiries, as to
the precise time the cloth would be laid, and as to the pro-
gress of the culinary department. The parties, who were all
punctual to the time, had very successfully polished their
swarthy faces, and were eloquently lavish in their praises to
their liberal host, wishing him and his good lady all the joys
and comforts of a wedded life, and universal prosperity to
their succeeding generation. Several gallons of John Barley-
corn were toasted away in this manner, when the sententious
waiter (Ann) announced, with due gravity, " supper is on
the table, gentlemen," leading the way to the room where
was spread out their repast, carefully and warmly covered up
with dishes. All parties appeared good humoured—eyes that
sometimes appeared. dull, now sparkled with vivacity—there
was a beaming smile upon each countenance, like the sun
suddenly laughing from behind a summer's 'cloud, and a
looker-on might easily perceive from their preparations and
appearance, that their respective appetites where whetted to
the bent. Each one took his chair with an air of imposing
complacency ; and those gentlemen who had kindly consegted
to carve, began to make sundry preliminaries, such as turning
up the
.cuffs of their coats, and stretching out their arms as
if determined to have full sweep and freedom in their earring
operations. At length the covers were duly removed, when,
lo ! what a ghastly appearance presented itself to their asto-
nished vision. From the sunshine of June, they suddenly
sunk back into the bleak gloom of December ;--one unvaried
mess of water-porridge and buttermilk met their withering
gaze, and all was in a moment—chaos. Tire disconsolate
expectants threw plates, &c., in all directions, and some of
them departed uttering sundry unpleasant remarks upon the
disgraceful joke played upon them, others determined to
make the " best of a bad job," plastering the faces of those
around them with the porridge, while the party who brought
them together richly relished the joke, by peeping through
the window from the outside, during the novel anti-epicurean
scene.—Preston Chronicle.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

CHINA, INDIA, AND EGYPT.

(From the Times of Wednesday.
We have received by extraordinary express, in anticipation
of the overland mail, advices from Bombay, of the Ist of
October, from Singapore of the 13th of August, and from
China of the 3rd of July.
The lateness of the hour at which our express arrived, un-
fortunately preYents us inserting more than a portion of the
very important intelligence we have received.
The accounts from China state, that the first vessel of the
expedition arrived there on the 9th of June, and the greatest
part of the remainder on the 21st. The next day Sir J. J.
Gordon Bremer issued a notice declaring the river and har-
bour of Canton in a state of blockade after the 28th. Capt.
Elliott had kept several ships at the mouth of the river, to
carry the blockade into effect, and ordered the rest to proceed
to the north and seize on the island of Chusan, which is
situate near the mouth of the great river Yang Tsen.
Admiral Elliott arrived off Macao on the 28th of June,
and having taken Captain Elliott on board, followed the ex-
pedition. The latter had issued proclamations to the people
along the coast, promising that their persons and property
should be respected ; and Governor Lin had, on his side,
offered rewards for the capture and destruction of the British
The Chinese had made another unsuccessful attempt to
burn the fleet by means of fire-rafts.
The intelligence received from Affghanistan was of an un-
satisfactory nature.
The overtures made by Dost Mohamed to Schab Soodjnh
turned out to be mere pretences to cover his approach to tl.e
frontiers, and rumours had got afloat that this chief had
actually succeeded in occasioning extensive risings in Aff-
ghanistan, ;aid that Captain Connolly had been taken pri-
soner, and his party cut to pieces by the insurgents. This
report, however, was deemed to require confirmation.
The taking of Khelat, the capital of Beloochistan, by the
son of Mehrab Khan, was confirmed. The city was de-
livered into his hands by the chief appointed by the British
political agent, and the latter, and a small body of troops left
under his orders, were made prisoners. The revolters had
likewise attacked the town and fort of Kahun, but had been'
repulsed by the garrison under the command of Capt. Brown.
Major Clibborn marched from Sukkur on the 12th August,
for the purpose of relieving the besieged, but being met on
the 31st of August in the defile of Poolajee by a large body of
Murrees and Belooehes, who had cut up the road, and
strongly intrenched themselves in the mountains, he was un-
able to force the passage. The British detachment was ac-
cordingly obliged to retreat, with the loss of 4 officers and
230 Sepoys killed, and that of the convoy under its escort.
On receipt of this disastrous intelligence the Bombay go-
vernment immediately forwarded reinforcements to Belooch-
istan, and it was expected that 10,000 men would shortly be
in readiness to take the field against the insurgents.
No fears were entertained of an attack from the Nepau-
lese ; the British government had nevertheless deemed it
prudent to take the necessary measures for the protection of
our dominions on that side.

The fortifications of Herat were advancing rapidly, but as
treachery was apprehended from Yar Mahomed, it was
thought that a British force would be marched to garrison
the city.

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.

BOMBAY, SEPT. 30.—There is now much excitement in
this city, and great eagerness for intelligence from Egypt,
from Beloeehistan, from Affghanistan, and from China.
The news from Egypt is of the highest interest, as there
are fears that a war may be caused by Mehemet Ali, and that
all communications through Egypt with Europe may be
stopped. This interest is increased by the fact that there are
French ships of war moving about the entrance of the Red
Sea, with the intention, it is said, of taking possession of the
Abyssinian port of Zehla.
There was lately a French ship of war, with the guns in
hold, in the port of Aden, and holding communication with
the Arabs on the Asiatic and African shores. Great suspicion
exists of their proceedings. It has not been lessened by the
conduct of the Dordogne, Captain Guillian, which ship ar-
rived here on the 2d instant from Muscat. After a stay of
20 days Captain Guillian suddenly ordered all his guns to be
loaded, as if he dreaded some obstacles in going out of the
harbour, and without firing a salute, set sail, as it is said, for
the Red Sea. So sudden was his departure, that he left a
quantity of flour in the hands of a baker. It is believed, that
as there are several French ships expected on the Abyssinian
coast, this captain has gone as quickly as possible to take
possession of Zehla, a port which is described as commanding
fully the entrance into the Red Sea. Massuah is also spoken
of as being a place of which the French wish to obtain pos-
session. There is no British ship of war on the whole coast
of India! The steamer Bercnice, which takes this mail, has
been armed for the occasion.
My last letter stated the capture of Khelat, the capital of
Beloochistan, by the son, or rather the widow, of Mehrab
Khan, killed there last year. The former, in whose name
the revolt has been carried on, is but a boy of twelve years.
The chief whom the British political agent had last year placed
on the musnud or throne made terms for himself, and sur-
rendered the town. Lieutenant Loveday, the British agent,
who commanded a small furce there, was taken prisoner, and
has been removed to Moostung.
The town and fort of Kahun, the capital of one of the
wildest of the Beloochee tribes, has been besieged by the
Murrees ; but Captain Browne, who commanded there, had
defended it with great gallantry. Major Clifford, of the
Bombay Grenadiers, set out on the 12th of August from
Sukkar, in order to relieve Kahun. His detachment con-
sisted of 600 Sepoys, 250 Poonah horse, and 2 guns, having
a train of 1000 camels, besides bullocks laden with provisions,
ammunition, &c. lie passed with great difficulty through
the defiles of the mountains called the pass of Poolajee. On
the 31st ult., on entering a defile where two men could with
difficulty walk abreast, the road was found to be cut up ; two
companies were sent forward to clear the pass, over which
the Murrees and other Beloochees appeared in numbers and
kept up a brisk fire. The officers leading the companies were
killed, and the sepoys fell back on the main body. The Be-
loochees followed, and for some time a smart conflict was
carried on man to man. The guns fired some rounds of
grape, which did great execution, but eventually they were
spiked, and the British detachment retreated, leaving the
provisions, ammunition, and camels, in the hands of the
enemy, with four officers and two hundred and fifty men killed.
The Beloochees are said to have lost 200 men, but have gained
a great booty! The names of the officers killed are—Captain
Raitt and Lieutenant Franklin, of the Ist, and Lieutenant R.
R. Moore and Ensign Williams, of the 2d Grenadiers. Cap-
tain Heighington, of the former regiment, has died of fatigue.
Lieutenant Lock, of the cavalry, is wounded, but is expected
to recover. This disaster has produced a gloom, and great
fears for the safety of Kahan, notwithstanding the great gal-
lantry of Captain Browne, who it is said has seized 40 camels
laden with corn, which the Beloochees were taking by the
fort. The Bombay government is making every exertion to
send reinforcements to Beloochistan, and the steamers have
been busy during the whole of this week in taking troops to
Hurrachee. It is expected there will be soon 10;000 men on
the Indus ready to commence operations against the moun-
taineers. It is, however, apprehended that the campaign
may be prolonged by other revolts, and that the conquest of
the savage robbers and wholesale plunderers of these moun-
tainous districts will never be worth the blood and treasure
it will cost.
This disastrous rencontre with the Murrees will it is feared
contribute to sharpen the hatred of the Afghans towards
Schah Soojah, and bring on revolts in other places near the
Indus. The activity and energy of the British government
must, therefore, be very great in making effective arrange-
ments to the northward. The fortifications of Herat have
been advanced considerably, but it is said that as Yar Ma-
homed is disposed to act perfidiously, and to sell it to the
Persians, a British force will be sent thither to insure its
safety. The best policy of the British government would
seem now to be, as the Indian army must be increased, to
make levies among, the Affghans and Beloochees, who are
willing soldiers, and the bravest races in India. They would
serve to conquer China.
The rumours of an immediate war with the Nepaulese have
died away. The Supreme Government is, however, resolved
to be prepared in case the Emperor of China should order
his vassals of Nepaul to invade the British territory, and va-
rious corps have received orders to hold themselves in readi-
ness for marching towards those frontiers.
The last news from China is of the 3d of July. The first
vessel of the expedition arrived there on the 9th of June, and
the greater part of it on the 21st.
On the 22d Sir J. J. Gordon Bremer issued a notice that
a blockade of all the entrances of the river, and of the port
of Canton, would commence on the 28th. A third attempt
was made by fire-rafts to burn the fleet, but the attempt was
ineffectual. Parcels of tea were poisoned, in order to be sold
to the sailors, but they were taken by prirates, who sold them
to the Chinese on shore, and many died from drinking that
beverage. Captain Elliot has issued several notifications of
great importance. Having left several vessels to carry on an
effective blockade, the rest of the expedition set sail for the
northward, in order to take possession of the island of Chu-
san, not far from the mouth of the great river Yang-Tsen, on
which the southern capital of China (Nankin) is situate.
On the 28th Admiral Elliott arrived, and having commu-
nicated with the Portuguese governor of Macao, with whom
friendly arrangements continue, took Captain Elliott on
board, and proceeded to join the expedition. Captain Elliott
has given notice to the Chinese inhabitants of the sea coast
that their persons and property will be respected, and that
the conduct of Lin shall be made known to the emperor.
The Chinese government has issued a proclamation, offering
rewards for the capture and destruction of the British ships
of war, and of each British subject.
In Bombay the preparations continue for the campaign in
Besoochistan. The governor, Sir J. R. Carnac, Bart., is
coming from Poonah to Khandallah, a short distance front
this city. In order to produce no delay by his absence,
Major-General Sir T. Willshire, Bart., goes to Europe by
this steamer. The monsoon has been favourable, and the
• fall of rain in most districts is considered to secure an abun-
dant harvest.
Miss Emma Roberts died at Poonali on the 17th instant
unexpectedly.
OCT. I.—The departure of the steamer was postponed for
21 hours in consequence of the non-arrival of the last over-
land mails and the government express from Calcutta, but,
as they have come in, the steamer will positively start this
morning.
The latest nows from Singapore is to the 13th of August ;
it contains nothing remarkable. I send you the Free Press
of that date.
The steamer Hugh Lindsay arrived this morning from
Kurachee. The rumour of an approaching revolt in Aff-
ghanistan had been current, but 1 know not on what
authority.
The government bills on the supreme court of Calcutta
continue to sell at a premium.