The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-01-05 00:00:00

The Duke of Wellington hays had cards of invitation
issued for a grand banquet at Apsley House, on the 25t1
instant, to the noble and gallant duke's supporters in th,
House of Lords.

We are glad to state, that it is expected that the importa-
tion of sugar from the East Indies alone will next year
,amount to about one-third of the total consumption of the
kingdom.—Glasgow Chronicle.
The corn law repealers talk of starting Mr. Richard Cob-
den of Manchester for the representation of the Northern
Division of Nottinghamshire, in opposition to Mr. Henry
Gaily Knight. Before the time of contest arrives they will
know better.

There was purchased in our market on Saturday last a
goose which, on being cut up, was found to have two giz-
zards, two hearts, and, strangest of all, a duplicate throat
It weighed upwards of 19Ibs,
plumage.—Carlisle Patriot

.fter being stripped of it:

Lord Monteagle (Spring Rice) is about to be married tc
Miss Marshall, eldest daughter of Mr. Marshall, the
wealty flax-spinner, of Leeds ; one of the noble lord':
daughters is already married to one of Mr. Marshall's sons
and another daughter (the maid of honour) is on the eve of
being united to another son, so that the alliance of the twc
families is in a fair way of being rendered complete.

Not five Liberal merchants of standing in Belfast will meet
Mr. O'Connell at a repeal dinner. The Catholic primate
has refused to attend such a dinner, and the vast majority o
the Catholic clergy and gentlemen of Ulster will follow hi
example.—Belfast Chronicle
NEW Com nt.—Th

French papers seize with avidity the
appearance of a new comet, as one of the remarkable series
of prodigies by which the year 1810 is to be made famous to
all future time. Nothing but this, they aver, was wanting
to make it commemorable. The new comet is certainly not
fictitious. Dr. Bromiker, of Berlin, has just discovered one,
which was remarked also at the observatory of Vienna, on
the 18th of November, and which was also observed by an
astronomer at Modena on the Ist of December. This comet
is not visible except with the assistance of a telescope. At
this moment it is to be seen in the constellation of Andro-
meda.

THE MILITIA.—It is stated in the best-informed circles,
that upon the meeting of parliament a bill will be introduced,
for the formation of a militia upon a most efficient plan ; and
as it is found that the navy can be completed with volunteers,
without having recourse to impressment, so it is intended
that the same plan should be resorted to as regards the mili-
tia; and that oppressive and obnoxious system of ballot,
which, from the numerous exemptions the higher classes of
society are entitled to, makes it fall principally upon the
middling and lower classes, will be abolished. In the mean
time it is to be hoped that the attention of government will
be drawn to the present inefficient state of the permanent
staffs, and that those hoary veterans, who are borne down
with age and infirmities, and are seen bending their way,
with the aid of a walking-stick, to the place of muster once
a month, will be allowed that retirement their long services
so justly entitle them to, and their places be filled with
young and efficient men.—Standard..
SUNDAY TRAFFIC ON CANALS.—A short time since, a
petition, signed by 432 of the watermen and others employed
on the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal, was addressed to the
committee of management, praying that the privilege of
resting from their labour on the Sabbath may be granted
them by closing the line on that day. The Lord Bishop of
the diocese, and 26 of the clergy, also addressed a memorial
to the committee on the subject, in which the desecration of
the Sunday, occasioned by the traffic on the canal, was for-
cibly pointed out. Several of the memorialists, in charge of
parishes situate near the canal, stated that they had peculiar
opportunities of observing the lamentable effects of the
existing profanation of the Sabbath. It was also stated that
upwards of 500 of the watermen had signed a petition to
parliament, praying to be allowed " to keep the Sabbath-
day holy." At length, we are glad to see some effect has
been produced on the committee, fora notification was issued
on the 9th instant, to the effect that from and after the Ist
of January, 1841, no vessel will be allowed to pass along the
canal on Sundays after one o'clock in the day. This is, at
all events, a beginning, but a bad principle is still sanctioned,
and we heartily hope that we shall soon have to record a
better determination on the part of the committee.—Glou-
caster Chronicle.

SOUTH WALES.—" In a few parishes of my diocese,"
pays the present Bishop of Llandaff, in a recently published
sermon, " there are some of the strongest examples, such
as Bedwelty, Merthyr Tidvil, Trevethin, Aberystwith, and a
few others which were, within living memory, either thinly
peopled rural parishes, or uninhabited wastes, but are now
swarming with population. Had this population increased
gradually through a succession of ages, the claim upon those
who employ them, though equally well founded, would not
have been .so striking or apparent. But the fact is, that
myriads are collected and settled on these spots within the
compass of a few years, for the benefit of individuals who
derive enormous wealth annually from their labour. The
provision made for their religious instruction, and spiritual
comfort, bears no proportion to the demand. Not one
fiftieth part of the recently collected population is admissi-
ble within the walls of a church. A few individuals only of
those on whom the claim justly lies, have hitherto done any-
thing towards a remedy for this monstrous evil. But I re-
joice in the prospect which is at length opened of better
things. A conspicuous example has lately been set by a
newly formed company, in whose employment many thou-
sands have already been settled on what was a few years ago
a solitary desert. The directors of the company are not only
engaged in providing a church with a competent endowment
for the spiritual care of this people, but they have pro-
claimed in a solemn form their conviction of the obligation
they lie under as Christians to make this provision, and the
great body of proprietors have adopted the resolution and
authorised its execution."

ALARMING INUNDATION IN ARRAN.-^We learn from the
Kilmarnock Journal, that on the 10th ultimo this island was
visited by one of the most alarming inundations and deluging
hurricanes that had been experienced for several years. In
the morning dark, gloomy, and terrific-looking clouds were
seen covering Mullen Gaoith (Windmill-hill), Torr-na-
Ndean, and Craig Na-hiolcrach (Eagle-rock), and soon after
the numberless rivulets and streams that issue from their
bosoms poured down in torrents and thundering cataracts
into the Glencloy river, which, in less than fifteen minutes
overflowed its banks, and covered immense tracts of arable
fields, plantations, gardens, roads, &c. The cottage at the
foot of the glen, known in summer as the Fisherman's, was
surrounded, and the family compelled to fly, or rather half
swim, to a more elevated and protected spot. Below this,
and all around to the sea, for about a mile, an immense un-
interrupted expanse of water presented itself, covering seve-
ral square miles, and deep enough to float large wherries.
While this part of the island was.lying under water, both
Glen Sherrag and Glen Roza were subjected to a similar vi-
sitation, the rivers spreading over vast fields, and the torrents
rushing down with dreadful violence. From the great reser-
voir for supplying Brodick-mill, at least 500 feet above the
sea's level, there was as splendid and grand a waterfall as
Niagara, both in length and width. The Roza river, in hur-
rying towards its confluence at the bay, flooded extensively
above the bridge, near the church, covered the public road
leading to Brodick village like a canal, rendering it long im-
passable, forced down the stone fence on the Strabane side,
formed a lake, and made a river passage. The storm extended
also to Lochranza with the samefury, and the roads by Cory,
Sannox, &C., have been torn and cut up as if bomb-shells
had been employed. At Balmichael it was particularly vio-
lent. Towards Sbiskah the damage has been very great,
particularly to the fine parliamentary road in many places,
and one of the bridges has been much destroyed.
EXTRAORDINARY FEAT OF SAM SCOTT, THE AMERICAN
DlVER.—Yesterday an immense assemblage of persons was
collected on Southwark-bridge, in order to witness the ex-
ploits of Sam Scott, soi-disant the American diver, but who
is generally reported to have breathed first at Deptford. The
river was blocked up with immense masses of floating ice,
and it was expected by all, that, if Scutt ventured his perilous
leap, a serious, if not fatal, accident to him must ensue. At
three o'clock he came on the bridge from Bankside, and.,
after the usual collections, he took his stand over the centre
arch of the bridge ; he continued here, and exhibited the
feats which it is his custom to do—such as suspending himself
by his neck, &c. It was evident, however, to all that a de-
scent from that spot could not be made, and Sam Scott, after
waiting for some time, called out, " Gentlemen, you do not
wish to see a man break his bead." • Cheers followed this
announcement, and, leaving the scaffolding erected over the
centre arch, he proceeded to the third on the north shore,
and, being only attired in a blue check shirt and canvas trou-
sers he ascended-to the crossbars of the lamp, and, having
again gone through his tricks, he inquired of the watermen
below if all was safe? At this time the ice was flowing more
in the centre of the stream, and the watermen replied, " All
right," and with an antelope's bound the diver was under
the water. He rose in a few seconds, legs first, then down
they went, and his head and half of his body appeared. He
swam about for some time among the floating ice, and was
taken into a boat and conveyed ashore. He promises to do
much more to-morrow ; but at the present state of the river,
when two inches only of ice may be on the surface of the
water, and twice that number of feet below, it is surely a very
dangerous experiment. If this than lose his life in one of
these attempts, in what situation will the proprietors of the
bridge be? It is said they give Scott half the profits.—
Morning Herald.

JEWISH IGNORANCE OF CHRISTIANITY.—(From a Cor-
respondent of the Standard.)—lt is a fact little known, that
the Jews are in a sad state of ignorance with regard to the
nature of Christianity. At a meeting recently held in Edin-
burgh, in aid of the London Society for the Conversion of
the Jews, Professor Alexander, of King's College, himself a
converted Jew, stated that the differences which still sub-
sist between Christians and Jews would soon be removed by
the free circulation of the Holy Scriptures. The Old Testa
ment they possess in Hebrew, but few of them can read.
The New Testament is scarcely known amongst them; in-
deed, few are aware of its existence. The professor stated in
what manner he himself had been converted. Twenty years
since he left Germany for England, with a view to take the
place of rabbi in a congregation of Jews. He had scarcely
been a fortnight from home when his attention was arrested
by seeing large placards in the streets, announcing a meeting
on behalf of the Jews.. -A-t-that time he knew an little of
English that he could only make ont the word " Jew" on
the placard, and he asked a Jewish friend what was the
meaning of it ? His friend told him that it was a meeting of
a society who had for its ~bject to " make the Jews Gen-
tiles tthat was his mode of viewing the question,) and that
they had translated the New Testament into the Hebrew
language." This was the first time he (Professor Alex-
ander) had ever heard of the New Testament, and as he was
curious to read it, he procured a coPy•in German, and the
impression it made on him was altogether startling. The
professor avers that he had no idea before that Christianity
professed to be founded on Judaism, or that Jesus of
Nazareth claimed to be the Messiah promised to their
fathers. He now mentioned these things to induce
Christians to send the New Testament to the Jews. His
was not a peculiar case, it was the case of the nation at
large; and it ought to be borne in mind that the idea the
Jews obtain of Christianity from the conduct of the people
in most countries where they reside is that of idolatry.
EXTRAORDINARY CASE.—A very curious charge has come
under the consideration of the magistrates at the Town hail,
Carlisle, during the week. M. Davis, a furrier, in Castle-
street, charged Mr. Harrison Flather, who is well known for
his occasional contributions to the newspapers, with defraud-
ing him of a considerable sum of money, under the following
circumstances. It appears, from M. Davis's statement, that
he took it into his head to fall in love with a young lady who
resides in Paternoster-row, and who happened to purchase
some articles in his shop one day. Davis wished to address
a letter to the young lady, but. being a Pole, and not able to
express himself very clearly in English, he employed Mr.
Harrison Fluffier as his secretary. The two first letters were
returned to Mr. Davis, but after that he received a letter,
purporting to come from the young lady, and saying that she
had returned the previous letters of at the desire of her
parents, but that she was willing to carry on a correspondence
with Davis. Davis continued to write, and, as he supposed,
to receive letters from the young lady, and Davis enclosed in
his letters money and presents, amounting altogether to up-
wards of £BO. All Davis's letters were written by Mr.
Flather. Davis says that the replies to his letters were lying
on a table in his room, and he missed them one day after Mr.
Mather had been in the room. He has only one letter pur-
porting to be written by the young lady. Mr. Flather under-
took to deliver the letters to the lady, and always said he did
so. The young lady's friends declare that she had never re-
ceived any letters from Davis except the two first, which
were returned, and that she never wrote him any letter. The
examination of witnesses was not concluded when we went to
press, and this, of course, is only an ex-parte statement as
far as it goes. The young lady has not been examined,,she
being at Liverpool. It is only fair to add that Mr. Flather
strenuously denies being guilty of the criminal Conduct im-
puted to him.—Carliate Patriot.