The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-11-27 00:00:00

ge; and that nearly £lOO,OOO worth was
expected to be received in, and exported from
Sydney, before the end of the current year. The

will be its circuitous mode of reaching us

from many other quarter

So much for the natural tendency of an article
cognised value, thus scrambled for
___ from every quarter and of every
race, to take, at first, a diverging direction, instead
of flowing, at once, in a continuous stream towards
its ulterior and best market. But we maintain,
further, that the same retention of specie in the
region, or its immediate neighbourhood where it is
raised, may continue for some time longer. A
vast migration is going on, and a large population
still flocking to California, requiring increased im-
ports of necessaries, and certain to create -a large
commerce in a quarter of the world, where the
philosophy of exchange, and a system of currency,
sufficiently settled, to serve as the safe medium of
such increased commerce, are not known. In such
a state of things, it is highly probable that the
bulk of the commodity, gold, which at present
serves all the uses of money, will be retained for
' that at present, gold

of generally r

by adventu're

exchange pc

n miners, against goods,
e ten or fifteen per cent. less
n its recognised value in Europe : yet, so long
ich goods more than covers

is barte

at a nominal rate, sor
t'

as the a

preciat

ion of

such apparent 1
hold

e trade will be urged on, and
le unwilling to deprive them-
f that trade, by realising in
nmunity as that engaged in

Ts or the

'es of the sine

mining operations in California, require more the
Immediate necessaries of life than the products of
advanced civilization; and the former are to be de-
rived from the proximate markets. Whenever an
established monetary system is provided for such a
trade ; when a mutual system of credit can be
; then the present rude currency,
gold by weight, may be dispensed
-1 find its way to the standard
then.
'or some time to come, wit-

consisting

with, and the m

market

We shall, no doub

ness a gradual influx of gold into European circula-
tion ; and an impetus will naturally be given to
European prices and the progress of its industry.
But, as certainly as this gradual change is taking
place, an accumulation of the precious metals will
be going on in distant markets, which, at no dis-

3, will produce a serious revolution in the

social

ons of every country, which recognises
standard of value. We cannot then

as its

measure the yield of these newly discovered mines
from the quantity which at present finds its way
either to the United States mint or to Europe.

MR. BRODRIBB, at the recent meeting of the
Financial Reform Association, touched a few sore
points in the feelings of the liberal class of poli-
In attempting to rebut some portions of
ntleman's views, the Journal, on Saturday
massive mind." his

tician

upon his

_
" earnest eloquence," and "the force and beauty
with which he arranges an army of statistics."
Mr. Brodribb would not

Such fulsome complim'ent,

hank us for; and our contemporary himself, with
whose opinions we presume to differ—and we hope
too presuming in doing so—must excuse
the preliminary portion of our endeavour to
nothing about " massive
form of " soft sawder,"

wearer

'eply to him conta

or any other

Itoappe

Mr. Brodribb, who is certainly one of the most
and talented of the association to which
remarked, at the meeting in question,
ens imposed upon land. He in-
e spirits, nearly all
- 1 from grain, amounting to £5,500,000;
hops, £390,000 ; bricks,
es, he said, it would be
h, for the benefit of the
the poor and other rates
The Journal doubts

belong

stance

"the duty on time

malt tax

6.000."

These tax

to aboli

to the consolidated fund

and we shall give his opinions seriatim.
' " he says, " have not the re-
motest influence on the business of farming.
Farmers and cotton spinners go to work under the
influence of precisely the same motives—the ex-
pectation of a reward for personal labour, and an
average reward for the capital employed." Does
te say to the cotton spinner, " you shall
million pounds, or fivepence, if you
j your raw material into this or that
Certainly not. All the world knows that
_..;ise duty upon British manufactured spirits
'tended as a bounty upon colonial spirits.
tax bears, to a certain extent, the same com-
The duty upon hops is a direct tax upon
-own article; and that on bricks is not

These imposts,

manutE
fabric ?

the es

plexion

only a

An , and child occupying a house or a
lodging in this country, and perfectly indefensible
in a government professing a regard for the
sanatory improvement of its population.
Our contemporary proceeds :—" The gains of
the farmer are, or at least were,"—we thank him
for the admission,—" sufficing. They yielded an
average return for his capital, attention, and toil.
With this, under all ordinary circumstances, com-
petition would compel him to be satisfied." And
after stating that by his present burthens his rent
is regulated,—a proposition which, during the anti-
tithe agitation, he would scarcely have put for-
ward,—he proceeds to say :—" such payments
would not in the least affect his relative condition.
The farmer, in point of fact, manufactures grain
and pork, mutton and beef, for the same reason that
the cotton spinner erects a mill, and produces twist
and cloth." But the farmer is not allowed to
manufacture his pork, or his mutton and beef, as
he chooses. The excise steps in, and says to him,—
" You shall not malt your grain, unless you pay a
duty to the State. Neither shall you sell your
malt for distilling, or brewing, unless you submit
to the harassing regulations which it suits our
purpose to impose upon you." Where do we now
find such an infliction upon the cotton spinner.
Our contemporary says :—" Mr. Brodribb is
also in error in his belief that the duty on malt,
hops, and home-made spirits affects the farmer
peculiarly. He suffers, in common with others,
from a bad system of taxation; but, as a farmer,
it does not concern him in the slightest degree
what duty the legislature may choose to impose on
malt, hops, and spirits." This is a somewhat
singular piece of political economy, and one to
which the farmer will not very readily subscribe.
Plain people, who have not the Journal's odd
notions, conceive that if twice the quantity of
barley was malted, twice the quantity of grain used
for distillation, and the duty on hops repealed, to
enable that article to be freely used for brewing,

upon land, but

a tax as well upon every

man, wor

instead of villainous substitutes, some sensible
effect would be produced on prices, notwithstand-
ing the fact that the British farmer no longer
possesses the exclusive privilege of supplying the
home market with his produce. The Journa in-
forms us, however. with respect to one of these
articles, that "spirits are taxed because the country
must have a revenue." Would it not be desirable
to raise such revenue by taxing some foreign pro-
duct, rather than one exclusively raised by British
industry ?

THE adherents and organs of the Church of
Rome in this country, excited by the quasi support
afforded to their encroachments by her Majesty's
present government, and by the truckling policy of
previous Conservative (I) governments, are evincing
an amount of insolence and positive disloyalty to
the sovereign, which few among the parties who
have sympathized with them could possibly have
anticipated. Particularly offensive have been their
conduct and language in the matter of the recent
Thanksgiving Day. The authority of the Queen
to appoint such a day has been openly scouted !
The Romish organ in the metropolis—the Tablet
—railed at her Majesty's assumption of such au-
thority most vigorously and most virulently. In
the morning of the Thanksgiving Day, the Cathe-
dral of St. Thomas in the metropolis—as it is am-
bitiously and insolently styled—had no sermon in
the morning; and in the evening the preacher

- -
"Begged his hearers to remember that they did not
take their instructions from the temporal sovereign, but
that they performed their acts of thanksgiving as directed
by the ecclesiastical authorities, and not in obedience to
any regulation or edict of a temporal governor. The Ca-
tholics of the metropolis had assembled there in great
numbers that day, in compliance with the instructions of
their ecclesiastical superiors, but it must be recolleceed
that they had already returned thanks to the Almighty on
three distinct occasions for his mercy in removing the
pestilence from among them, and, besides those which had
already been observed, it was intendee to have another
final day for the Catholics of London to return their
thanks in a more public and solemn manner. Neverthe-
less they had met there that day, not in consequence of
any instruction from any temporal Sovereign, but because
they felt that every day they had a duty incumbent upon
them to return thanks for manifald mercies received from
the Omnipotent."

We give in another column, as a companion pic-
ture to this specimen of the bluster and inflation of
metropolitan popery, a record of a few facts, de-
tailed at a recent meeting at Exeter-hall, by the
Rev. A. Dallas; and as the facts in question resem-
ble more what we meet with in a narrative of the
result of missionary enterprise amongst benighted
heathens, than of such enterprise amongst a popu-
lation presumed to have been indoctrinated into
some knowledge of the Christian religion, by the
ministry of the self-styled "only true church," we
may mention that Mr. Dallas is no wild enthusiast,
but a gentleman of settled frame of mind and great
experience in the ministry. We consider the facts
of such unusual importance that we cannot refrain
from reprinting here, in detail, a more ampli-
fied report of the reverend speaker's remarks on
one or two points of his interesting facts :
" About three months ago, the committee of the society
of the Irish Church Missions received a letter from the
Bishop of Tuam, stating that he wished the confirmation
to occur in the autumn, and that somebody should come
from London to be present. The committee deputed him
(Mr. Dallas) and his colleague, the Rev. Mr. Wilkinson,
and they had subsequently the satisfaction of meeting his
lordship, who had put off fixing the day until he had con-
ferred with the deputation. Although there had been a
general preparation, only one single week's notice was
given that the bishop would attend and hold a confirma-
tion at Outerarde, at Lough Corrib, and Clifden. At
Outerarde the bishop was met by Mr. Wilkinson and him-
self on the 18th of October last. It was a large, strag-
gling, fishing village, and the opposition they met with in
that quarter would, possibly, illustrate what he had said to
them in referring to the providence of God interfering for
them. He entreated of the meeting to remember that he
did not wish to say one unkind word towards the unhappy
man to whom his story related. There had been origi-
nally three priests at Outerarde, but, in consequence of
one of them having had much conference with the Rev.
Mr. O'Callaghan, he was removed. In his place there
came a man of very strong and violent feelings. For two
months that man went on applying his great antidote to
Protestantism—and what did they think that was ? Stand-
ing on the steps of thealtar, and denouncing the most awful
curses against those who meddled with Protestantism—
curses which he dared not repeat to them. He went on
in that way for two months, and finding that his curses
had no effect he told the few people who attended the
mass that it was all their fault—that if they joined him
they would soon get rid of the " Jumpers," for such was
the term of opprobrium given to the missionaries—that
before long either he would be down, down, down, or
they, for God would put an end to the one or the other.
The following Wednesday that young man, who was only
33 years old, and in the prime of health and strength, was
seized with paralysis, and his tongue was in such a condi-
tion that it was fearful to those who ventured to come
near him. Mr. O'Callaghan came into the village in order
to give his usual lecture in the School-room, and the next
evening, being informed of the fact, he put aside the sub-
ject on which he had intended to address them—he spoke
of the poor young man—he knelt down and prayed in de-
tail for him, as a Christian would pray with earnest com-
passion for one in that state. The effect of that was, that
the people who had come there under the influence of
superstition, many Romanists, said " this is to bless them
that curse you—here is Christianity—here is truth." It
had great effect ; and from that day Outerarde was gained.
It was the wonder of the people that at that station 70
persons were confirmed-57 Romanists and 13 Protes-
tants (hear, hear). Formerly the converts had been
hooted and hissed ; but from that hour there was no more
hooting or hissing, and the people were satisfied to look
quietly on at the " Jumpers" going to church. From
thence they proceeded to Castle kerke, the mountain
scenery of the district through which they travelled sur-
passing in beauty anything he had previously witnessed,
but which was then under the influence of a tremendous

hurricane violent enough to deter any person venturing
from home. Great preparations had been made to give a
notable reception to the bishop; but when the morning
dawned, the question that rose to their minds was, should
they have the catechumens at all ? They would have to
cross the lake—not at all a pleasant or a safe prospect ;
but at eleven o'clock the school-room began to fill, and
before twelve o'clock 400 were assembled. How they came
there he knew not ; but there they stayed, enduring the
crowd and the crush ; for it was impossible toabide the pelt-
ing of the pitiless storm. They filled up the space allottedfor
the bishop. There were 100 on the list, but they confirmed
153 converts and three original Protestants. He might state
that the good bishop, being unable to cross the lake, went
round, a distance of 14 miles, to come to them. He
(Mr. Dallas) had the happiness of being the pastor of a
little flock. They loved him, and he loved them, and it
was heart-cheering to see it ; but there was nothing ever
seen in England like the thrilling earnestness of atten-
tion, something of which arose from the little stock of
knowledge of the language with which the converts
attended to the proceedings, and he could read in the,
very expression of their eyes the strong feeling that they
dared not even move lest they should lose a syllable of
what was addressed to them. It was a heart-stirring
scene, and, added the rev. gentleman, " May God stir
our hearts also !"—(Loud cheers.) When they were
asked if they were ready to confirm their baptismal vow,
they all readily answered in the affirmative, but when the
bishop turned to Mr. O'Callaghan, and said, " Read the
question to them in Irish," there was a shout of ready
and heartfelt response in their native tongue. From
thence they proceeded to Clifden, the bishop having kindly
consented to an arrangement which would avoid bringing
their poverty and their nakedness into the town. They
all knew that the poor people of England did not like to
go to church in bad clothes, but what would they say of
Irish poverty and nakedness, when it might with truth be
said that they had no clothes at all ? The bishop being
informed of that fact, at once consented to undertake a
long and toilsome journey, saying, " I'll do it; never
mind me." The Rev. John Conerney gave an interest-
inc account of the event—the people, when told of it,
exclaiming, " Thank God, the true bishop has come at
last !" Others said, " It is not the cursing bishop of
Tuam." (Hear, hear.) Although the rain fell in torrents
the people came from great distances—they took the masts
out of their fishing boats, and hung inscriptions on them
in Trish—" A hundred thousand welcomes," and drew the
carriage of the bishop to the school-room. There were
confirmed there 188 Romish converts and three Protest-
ants, making 191 in all. Some of the people had come
eight, ten, and twelve miles!'
We cannot but hail with satisfaction such de-
monstrations as these of the power of truth to
pierce the folds of blinding error, and of the fact
that even curses from the altar will not prevent its
spread, when sincere and energetic men, with God's
blessing upon their endeavours, become its bearers
to our benighted fellow-subjects.

AN additional source of complication has just
been added to the question of water supply, the
Marquis of Salisbury having given notice of his in-
tention to apply for an act in the ensuing session,
to empower him to provide water for the tenants
on his estate at Childwall, and the inhabitants of
some of the surrounding townships. The advo-
cates of the Rivington scheme evidently regard
this movement of his lordship as another burr
under the wheel of the advocates of local supply.
It is either, they contend, the forerunner of a de-
mand, on the part of his lordship, for compensation
for the water abstracted from the strata under his
estate; or that his lordship has a serious intention
of constructing water-works on his estate ; the
effect of which must be to withdraw a source of
profit from the Liverpool Corporation. The
Marquis, it is urged, has a fair right to pursue his
proposed scheme, since the Corporation have
abandoned their contract to supply his tenants and
others from Rivington ; and the conclusion at-
tempted to be drawn, is that to carry out our

present act of Parliament is the only course now
left open to us.

We certainly do not regard our position with
these despairing feelings. We cannot discern the
alleged " fix." Let the Marquis undertake the
supply of Childwall, West Derby, and Woolton, if
the works of the Corporation do not suffice for the
purpose. Perhaps he may not find it to be a very
profitable operation. His proposed bill includes
powers to supply the inhabitants of Toxteth-park ;
but Parliament will scarcely countenance such an
interference with the existing rights of the Cor-
poration of Liverpool. Even presuming it to do
so, however, and that some seventy or eighty
thousand of our population in that locality, are
supplied by the Marquis's works at Aigburth, his
lordship cannot close up our present Toxtetb-park
wells. Their yield will be added to our existing
supply for a limited population ; and we shall be
in a position to give all that Parliament requires
without spending an additional shilling, either at
Rivington or at home. We do not however look
upon the Marquis's notice as any thing more than
a demonstration, resorted to in order to give an
additional locus standi to the Pike advocates in
Parliament : a step, in which his lordship him-
self has about as much idea of persevering as he
has at this moment of squaring the circle.
But have the pro-Pike party any right to glorify
themselves upon this claim of the Marquis of
Salisbury to be enabled to avail himself of the sup-
ply of water to he obtained upon his own property ?
It is an admission by the Marquis, in the first
place, that he possesses a large supply in the red
sandstone upon his own estate ; and, in the second
place, it contains a recognition of the fact that, not-
withstanding any powers possessed by water com-
panies, proprietors of land have a perfect right to
supply themselves from the strata underneath their
property. There is no restriction as to the num-
ber, or position, of private wells to be sunk in the
locality, except the possibility that the strata in
some parts of the neighbourhood may have been
already drained by the existing public wells. Sup-
pose, however, we proceed to Rivington, and cease
pumping from our present sources—what would
be the result ? By the operation of natural laws,
the upper strata of the neighbourhood would
become surcharged with water, to be had in abun-
dance at an almost nominal expense for sinking
private wells would be multiplied indefinitely; not
only the Marquis of• Salisbury, but the bulk of the
proprietors of the soil, would bore for themselves,
and the costly Rivington scheme, with its miles of
piping, its embankments, tunnels and vast reser-
voirs, would be in danger of being so far robbed of
its water tenants as to be able to do little more than
pay its working expenses. We should see the pure
element in some portions of the neighbourhood ac-
tually cropping out of the surface, and affording a
supply to a portion of our population, without the
cost of sinkings or the trouble of pumping.

The perpetual curacy of Trinity Church, Warrington,
value £l3O, is vacant by the promotion of the Rev. James
Todd ; patron, Thomas Legh, Esq,
HOOTON HALL SALE.—A strong impression is abroad
that this sale has been postponed. We are authorised to
say, that the auction will positively commence to-day, and
be contirued as announced in the advertisement.
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COMPANY'S.TELEGRAPH.
—On Tuesday last, the telegraph instruments at the Ex-
change, at Manchester, were, to the great inconvenience
of the public, obliged to be removed thence to the Victoria
Railway Station, owing to the failure of the wires through
the streets of Manchester. The instruments will remain
there at a temporary office until the wires have been exa-
mined and repaired, or replaced where necessary.
THE COVENANTS DISTINGUISHED.-It will be seen,
that a sermon, preached by the Rev. Dr. M`Neile, in St.
e's Church, Bloomsbury, (of which the Hon. and
H. Villiers is rector) is about to be published with
title. The publication was requested by a nu-

Ueorg

iy of clergy who were present, and the subject is
—arly interesting at the present moment,
cent events in this town indirectly con-

from several

netted with it

ST. SIMON'S SCHOOLS.—It will be seen that the claims
of these very efficient schools will be advocated on Sunday
next, by the Rev. G. Cuthbert and the Rev. Dr. M'Neile.
About three hundred children are receiving a sound and
useful education, in a district where they would otherwise
roam about uncared for, and as the committee are embar-
rassed with a debt, we hope the appeals on this occasion
will meet with unusual liberality. The worthy and inde-
fatigable incumbent of the district should not have his
hands tied for want of funds.
DESERVED TESTIMONIAL.—We are very glad to find-
that a beautiful and elaborate silver tea service (manufac-
tured by Mr. Jones, in his first-rate style,) is about to be
presented to Mr. R. G. Jackson, the indefatigable and
intelligent Secretary of the Conservative Committee of
Exchange Ward for the last eleven years. The testimonial
consists of a tea-pot, coffee-pot, sugar basin, cream ewer,
and the usual appendages ; and will, we-understand, be on
view in Mr. Jones' window at the latter end of the week.
Mr. Jackson has richly earned this gratifying testimonial—
costly as it is—for in no ward of the town, and that chiefly
through his exertions, are the Conservative interests more
ably watched over and preserved, as the recent elections
have abundantly testified.
MR. H. G. HARBORD.—We learn that it is the inten-
tion of this gentleman's friendp, by the advice of his•
medical advisers, to convey him on Wednesday next, if
happily he is able to bear the fatigue of removal, to the
more genial climate of Clifton, rear Bristol, and that he
may probably proceed ultimately to pass the winter in.
Madeira or Malta. His state has hitherto been a little
misrepresented in the accounts published by the press.
He has never been in the properly called convalescent
state, and the report of a serious relapse having taken,
place, which has caused such uneasiness in the minds of
his numerous friends, have been as much exaggerated in
the other direction. His condition is now, as it has been
since his first attack, of an extremely precarious descrip-
tion, but hopes are still entertained of his being spared to
his relatives and friends.
SUSPICION or CHILD MURDER.—A woman named
Catherine Graley, now ill at the Workhouse, is detained
on this charge. She was a passenger by the steamer
Nimrod, from Cork to this port, which arrived about
noon on Sunday. Another female who was on board
said that on the morning of that day, about eight o'clock,
her attention was called by a man on board, and she found
a living female infant lying on the deck, without any one
to attend it ; she took it up, washed it, covered it with
such clothing as she could spare, and kept possession of
it until the vessel arrived. previous to this, the woman
Graley had confessed that she was the mother of the
child, adding that it had dropped from her, and that she
had thrown the afterbirth overboard. She denied (as had
been stated) throwing the child into the hold., The in-
quest will be held this day—the enquiry hitherto being
preliminary.

ROBBERIES.—Mr. Jackson's house, at Aigharth Vale,
was visited by housebreakers on Saturday night, at half-
past nine. The family were away, but the servant heard
footsteps on the roof of the cottage, and on going out saw
a man standing by the chimney, who dropped into the
garden on the other side of the cottage, breaking a win-
dow in his fall. He was a tall man, with a cap and dark
clothes. Two gardeners who reside on the spot went in
pursuit, but the robber had a good start, and as the gar-
deners carried fire-arms they could not succeed in bring-
ing the scoundrel within distance. A series of house
robberies, and stripping hen roosts, gardens, &c., has
been going on for some time past in this neighbourhood,
and the police-officers state that they are too few in num-
ber to scour the country. Now that winter is set in, it is
hoped that the authorities will appoint one or two extra
men to watch in the neighbourhood of the Vale and the
fields which lead to the town through which plunder must
be carried. Unless this be done the inhabitants will have
to resort to fire-arms in self-defence, and for the purpose
of protecting their persons and property.
DENSE AND DANGEROUS FOG.—Yesterdav morning,
shortly before dawn, this town and neighbourhood were
visited by a dense fog, which continued, more or less, for
two or three hours. The omnibuses from the various
localities in the vicinity were necessarily driven at a slow
pace, to avoid accidents, as the drivers, especially on the
Bootle road, and northward from it, could not sometimes
distinguish their horses' heads. The river steamers and
others were much puzzled how to navigate, there being at
all times numbers of vessels anchored in, or sailing on the
stream. The Woodside steamer Morpeth, in crossing
from the Cheshire side, about 10 a.m., came in contact
with the ship Rienzi, (outward bound,) lying at anchor
nearly opposite the north end of the great landing-stage,
and carried away her figure-head. The steamer sustained
some slight damage in one of her paddle-boxes and bul-
warks. The persons in both vessels were a good deal
alarmed : several passengers from the steamer leaped on
board the ship, and were left there, but no one was hurt.
Some of the steamers were delayed some time at their
respective ferries, and many passengers, apprehensive of
danger, waited on shore until the mist nearly dispersed,
about eleven o'clock. The ringing of bells on the river
was for some time incessant. One steamer was delayed
by getting on the wrong side of the landing-stage, under
one of the bridges. A serious, though happily not fatal
accident took place at the Walton junction of the lines of
the East Lancashire and Lancashire and Yorkshire Rail-
way Companies, arising in some degree from the fog, in
addition probably to an undue timing of the trains. A
luggage-train of the latter company overtook a passenger-
train of the East Lancashire at 8 a.m., and a collision
took place, which might have resulted most disastrously.
The passengers in the overtaken train were knocked vio-
lently forward from their seats, and several of them
bruized. Some gentlemen who were in the toupee in
front were thrown with great force, and their faces coming
against the glass, were dreadfully cut by the broken frag-
ments. [A correspondent complains of the East Lanca-
shire Company sending their evening trains off without a
light in some of the carriages ; so that the passengers are
in darkness, and pickpockets and disorderly characters are
encouraged in their vocations. He considers the rivalry
carried on between the two companies as scarcely consist-
ent with the safety of the pnblic, particularly during race
weeks.) Yesterday afternoon and evening were clear,
with a cold south-easterly wind, and an approach to freez-
ing. The weather during the previous three or four days
was excessively wet.

THE " GOOD OLD TIMES " COME BACK AGAIN.

A stranger accidentally visiting, on Saturday, the unfi-
nished town of Birkenhead, might very easily have ima-
gined that he had been transported back to the days of
Justice Shallow and Dooberry, when rogues had their
peccadilloes whipped out of them by the parish constable,
and the stocks adorned every market place and village
green. True, he might have reflected, these fine shops,
with their plate glass fronts, the imposing square, the
spacious market, and the well payed streets speak of an
advanced state of civilisation ; but the spectacle witnessed
in the public market-place spoke of the rude social con-
dition of a couple of centuries ago. On a raised platform
might have been seen a human being seated, with hand-
cuffs on each wrist, and his legs fastened in the veritable
stocks, surrounded by a group of idle men and boys,
laughing, shouting, jeering, and entering into the full
zest of the fun provided for them by their worships the
justices. Not at all behind the spectators in appreciating,
probably, the prominence of his position, seemed to be
the culprit himself—a stolid, brutalized specimen of his
species. The officials of the law itself seemed also pleased
with the gala, and flourished their whips vigorously
amongst the urchins, who formed the crowd, in order to
keep a clear ring for any respectable folks who might feel
disposed, on their way to and from the market, to take a
peep at the exhibition.

We ourselves indulged in the opportunity, thus kindly
provided, of witnessing, for the first time, this disgusting
sight, in the most public place of a large town, in this
century of boasted civilization. From the bystanders we
learned that the crime of the offender was his having been
found drunk, on Friday night, and unable to pay the five
shilling fine inflicted upon him on Saturday morning.
For this offence he was adjudged to be placed in the stocks,
for three different days, for six hours a day. Who were
the justices who inflicted the sentence we did not learn ;
nor whether our Birkenhead neighbours are to be regu-
larly favoured with a similar spectacle. We greatly
doubt, however, whether it will contribute much to the
improvement of their morality. From our own observa-
tion of the feelings which it excited amongst the specta-
tors, and from the fact that the constables had no difficulty
in rendering the position of the culprit a profitable one,
through the voluntary contribution to him of coppers by
the spectators, we should think it very likely to have a
contrary effect.

POST-OFFICE REGULATIONS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

am desirous of obtaining an explanation (if
such can be given) of what seems to be an irregularity in
the delivery of the mails between this town and Gates-
head. A correspondent of mine, residing a short distance
from that place, writes to the following effect :—" Do you
know how it is that letters to and from Liverpool have
begun lately to take two days ?" It appears to me that
there must be two routes by which the mails are trans-
mitted between the two places. My reason for such a
supposition is, that occasionally my friend's letters come
by way of Leeds, while at other times they do not bear
the post-mark of! that town. As a proof of what I have
above stated, I may add that a letter which I wrote at
four o'clock p.m. last Friday was delivered at my friend's
residence the following morning, walk, one written a few
days previously to the same place was two days in reach-
ing its destination. _

If by giving publicity to these facts you can obtain any
explanation, you will greatly oblige yours respectfully,
Liverpool, Nov. 26, 1849. B. A.

COMMERCIAL AND MONETARY REPORT,

EXCIIANOR NEWS-ROOM, MONDAY

The reduction by the Bank of England Of the rate of
discount to 24 per cent. is regarded on 'Change as the
most important event, which has taken place for some
months past, not only regarded in itself, but as affecting
the very low rates at present accepted upon approved secu-
rities by private banking establishments. It will, in fact,
have the effect of reducing the per centage on first-class
paper to little over 1 per cent., which more than anything
else must give additional imptus to the already healthy
action of our commercial machinery, for,.if speculators will
not come forward and ease the banks of their plethora on
such advantageous terms, they deserve to miss the golden
opportunity which lies before them:

Another bubble has arisen on the political waters of the
continent,.which it is to be hoped will not burst into
vortex. The Austrian cabinet hes made a formal protes
against the convocation of a German parliament at Erfurt,
and blusters about the probability of an Austrian armed
intervention in the affairs of Germany. The reply of a
cabinet council held at Berlin has been forwarded to
Vienna, which makes an energetic defence of the rights
of Germany, and declares that Prussia is prepared to run
the risk of any,.even of an armed intervention on the part
of Austria. Thus Austria, like a true cur, barks and-bul-
lies as soon as he finds himself backed by a bigger brute
than himself ;. but, however ready the Russian bear may
be to put his paw into troubled water, when he is likely to
appropriate something to himself for his trouble, there is
little likelihood that he will assist in the present case,
where it is next to impossible that he can make anything
by it. His policy would be better answered by patting
both parties om the back, and letting them fight it out.
But the love of " German unity" will surely do away
with squabbles originating in so foolish a specimen of
German obstinacy. Our money market goes on impro-
ving, at all events. The further increase of .E 216.000 in
the bullion held.by the Bank, and the favourable indica-
tions regarding the revenue furnished by the state of the
Government deposits, have aided the firm tendency of the
English funds, and Consols on Saturday closed at an
advance of a quarter per cent. The first price was 94:1 to
, and they left off at 90 to for money, and 94 for the
account.

Tne knowing ones begin to augur better days for the
Share market. Prices continue steadily advancing,, and
close this evening the best of the week. It is said, and,
we believe, on high authority, that government have pro-
mised to take- into corrsideration the present depressed
state of share property, with a view of affording relief in
a manner likely to be effectual. This, in the present
abundance of money, must advance prices materially.
Money has poured in so rapidly upon the Midland people,
that they have reduced their rate to 44. From this it is
inferred that there will be no call on the Halves in
January, and these shares are, in consequence, much asked
for. The account about to close is a bear account, and
the pinch is expected to be severe, no stock being offered,
and the public buying being decidedly on the increase.
To-day's quotations are—Leeds sths, 61 dis. ; Preston
and Wyre, No. 4, 64 pm. ; London Stock, 1134; 4-shares,
4, lls. 3d., 2 pm. ; sths, 11, t pm. ; Sheffield Preference,
94; Midland Stock, 49 ; 4-shares, 22, 211, 4, z dis. ;
North Union A, 223; Shrewsbury Preference, 154-; Dover,
No. 4, 64; South Staffords, 34, I.; Dublin and Drogheda
2-shares, SI ; Dutck Rhenish, 7 dis. • Royal Bank, 240;
' Royal Bank Preference, 103 • Gas shares, 1764 to 1782 ;
Waterford and Limerick, 394 d.

One Corn circular would almost suffice to describe the
collected markets of the United Kingdom this week, and
in very few worth:. The pressure of foreign imports and
internal supplies. and the anticipation of further large
receipts from the continent, weighing more and more
heavily upon the respective markets, leave a very barren
prospect for the contemplation of those sanguine indivi-
duals who have " hoped against hope," that long ere now
the downward motion would have been checked. Another
retrogressive movement has to be reported this week, in
some cases of is. to 2s. per quarter in Wheat •, and when
the drag is to be put on the wheel, nothing but a check
to our imports, or a bad harvest, (which Heaven forbid,)
can. determine. The decline in the value of Indian Corn
(always an exception) has received a check in Ireland, the
consumption having slightly increased in some parts,, par-
ticularly in Cork, although no actual rise has taken
place ; Limerick is the only market where a further depre-
ciation (of about 2s. 6d. to ss. per ton) is reported..
With the exception of a moderate inquiry (on specula-
tion) for Indian Corn, more of which article has changed
hands than appears on the market, Brunswick-street has
presented a very placid appearance since Friday. Our
imports from Tuesday to Saturday (inclusive) comprise a
fair supply of Oatmeal and Flour from Ireland, some few
parcels of Wheat and Oats, but nothing extensive ; about
6,000 quarters of Foreign Wheat, from all parts ; 5,000
barrels of Flour ; and 9,500 quarters of Indian Corn.
The arrivals of Timber from British America during
the past week consist of 9 vessels, 5,838 tons, and from
the Baltic, 1 vessel, 112 tons. The market for timber is
not so brisk as it was a short time since, St. John's Pine
having receded to id. per foot beneath the average inches
girth. Quebec Pine has been sold at 13d. to 131 d. per
foot, and one cargo at the low figure of 121 d. per foot.
Deals still exhibit a marked improvement, good Spruce
selling in cargo at from £7 15s. to £8 per standard ; there
is every prospect of a still further improvement in this
article. Lathwood and Staves of all descriptions are also
in good request, at an advance in price.

The Cotton market to-day has been firm. A fair
sprinkling of the tra !e was in attendance, and the sales
amounted to from 4,000 to 1,000 hales (1,000 on specula-
tion and for export,) at more regular prices. On Satur-
day the market was steady, and about 4,000 bales were
disposed of Out of 21,000 bales of Cotton sold last week
the trade took only 11,000, and have consequently further
drawn upon their stocks some 17,000 bales. There is
some difference of opinion whether Cotton has seen its
highest, but we must confess that with the limited stock,
small shipments on the way, cheapness of money, and an
undeniably extensive trade in our manufacturing districts,
we cannot look to any other result than a still further ad-
vance in the value of this staple.
On the 23rd inst., there was a public sale of Wool,
which comprised the following descriptions, viz. :-400
bales Port Adelaide, 300 East India, and 800 ballots Peru-
vian. The attendance of buyers from the country was
good, and the biddings spirited. The Port Adelaide wools
(although not a choice lot) realised fully Id. 1,1- lb. above
the late London sales. East Indians, as usual, met with a
fair competition, and were all sold at late prices ; but the
Peruvians were all withdrawn, except a few lots. Public
sales of Colonial wools will commence in London on the
29th inst. The quantity which will be brought to the
hammer will be 24,000 bales.
There has been more inquiry for West India Sugar
from the grocers the last day or two, and prices are fuliy
supported. Coffee has rallied again, and prices are nearly
on a par with what they were a fortnight ago.
The fluctuations in the Tea trade have latterly been of
so trivial a nature that any special notice of this item of
produce has been uncalled for. But on comparing the
import, delivery, and stocks in Liverpool for the years 1848
and 1849, made up from the Ist of January to the 16th
November respectively, we find that the total import of
1848 amounted to 9,569,891 lbs., while in 1849 it only
reached 8,106,120 lbs. ; the delivery at the same time
having increased from 11,547,962 lbs., in 1848, to
12,123,411 lbs., in 1849 ; and stocks having been reduced
from 11,355,946 lbs. to 7,293,260 lbs. Under these cir-
cumstances, it was natural to expect some advance, and
we find that during the past month, with an increased
demand for most descriptions, the value of many kinds