The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-12-22 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

of the present age is, h ppily, favourable to calm
discussion, anu exercl3e of the reasoning powers,
rather than of the vituperative. The questions
which now press most earnestly upon us for con-
sideration are social questions—the improvement of
the health and the morality of the masses—the pro-
tection of the weak and the poor—the universal
spread of civilization and Christianity amongst
mankind. Such questions may be discussed with-
out ill temper or worse manners. The mere trading
consideration attached to Journalism need not be
for ever intruded upon the world. By ourselves it
shall not be thus unnecessarily intruded ; and we
are not at all afraid that we shall suiTer from our
forbearance.

We remarked briefly a week ago upon the vast
increase of Irish pauperism crowding into Liver-
pool ; and the fact appears at length to have made
itself felt by the drain upon our parish-office for
relief for these destitute beings. They cannot be
permitted to starve in our streets ; and if we pass
them back to their own country, as we are com-
pelled in self defence to do, fresh importations keep
arriving to claim the same bounty at our hands.
"If we remain at home," they say, "we shall be
starved." Food sufficient for the people it is now
evident that there is not available. The pressure
of the times, too, has locked up the springs of
charity, een where the means to give exist. Ire-
land is being taught as a nation to exist upon the
industry of the British people; and she is not slow
in learning the lesson. In past years her peasantry
have been in the habit of snatching the harvest
wages from the poor Saxon tiller of the soil. They
worked then, whilst the English labourer stood
idle. Now they came in a different guise, and with
a different demand. It was enough that British
industry should be displaced whilst the Irish cotter
earned the rent of his hovel and his potato ground,
and fed the rapacity of the middleman, the priest,
and the agitator : it is more than enough that the
patio .r, the widow, and the orphaned of our own
country should be reduced to coarser food to sup-
port the beggared outcasts, whom Irish landlords
are unable or unwilling to provide with the ne-
cessaries of life.

There must he an end, however, of this kind of
infliction. But who is the party to whom the
country must look to bring it about ? One of our
vestrymen, we observe, suggested on Tuesday, that
captains of packets ought not to bring over to Eng-
land persons so obviously unprepared to support
themselves. We know, however, quite sufficient of
human nature, to he aware that precisely that num-
ber of people who can procure the money for their
passage, and who have the inclination to come, will
do so. Sending them back again, without permit-
ting them to land, is another suggested plan ; but
it is quite inefficacious, as indeed is every other
which does not grapple with the root of the evil. This
is one of a general, not of a local nature, although
we unfortunate people of Liverpool are experiencing
its local burthen. It is the duty of the government
to look at. our position, and to devise some compre-
hensive measure for our relief. They are totally
mistaken who imagine that the present is a mere
temporary emergency ; that it arises from the po-
tato disease, or any other disease. We have vir-
tually kept the poor of Ireland for a generation
past. Their necessities have depressed the condition
of the industrious labourer of (reat Britain for a
generation past. Irish laboar, deprived of its re-
ward at home, has invaded our farming districts
and our manufacturing towns, lowering wages, by
the corn retition created, and offering no very satis-
factory example of good conduct for imitation.
The present difficulty is only exaggerated in degree;
and it ought to bring about a cure for the difficulty,
which we have all along been experiencing.
We are far from wishing to join in the outcry
against Irish landlordism. But really our present
Government must take some steps to enforce upon
some of them a recognition of their duties. They
must be urged to do what in them lies to keep their
own poor removed from even the possibility of want
an'l wretchedness, such as they are now suffering ;
and, to ensure this object, some of the anomalies
which characterise our past legistation for Ireland,
must be swept away. We must have no more at-
tempts to cure actual and tangible evils by remedies
addressed to fictitious diseases; no more prescrip-
tions of Godless colleges and municipal franchises
for a starving people. A poor-law upon the broad
principle of the law of Elizabeth must be submitted
to. Ireland's good landlords—and they are many—
would welcome it readily. Only the short-sighted
or the selfish would wince under its infliction.

Throughout the discussion of the Free Trade
question we predicted that one of the first results
would be to place the consumer of food at the mercy
of the capitalist and the speculator; and it is not
difficult to perceive that we are in something very
like that situation at the present moment. In every
corn market throughout the kingdom the rage for
investments in grain and flour is rife, and the most
trifling incident—the stoppage of a canal or the
snowing up of a railway—is seized upon as the
ground of advanced rates. Cargo after cargo pours
into the country from foreign markets. Immense
supplies are known to be preparing for our shores,
and only detained by the temporary want of ship-
ping. Yet the capitalist is found ready and eager
to buy and to store up every fresh supply as it
arrives, in the hope, no doubt, to exact famine
prices, although the effect of the measure, which is
thus placing the food of the country in his hands,
was to protect us from even the fear of famine.
There must be, however, in this movement, as in
every past mania, a day of reckoning; and we would
earnestly press upon the farmers of Great Britain
not to permit themselves to be involved in its con-
sequences, by madly holding for increased prices.

in Liverpool, to believe, that for this sum a capab
and active officer will place his services at the dis-
posal of the community. It is to the zeal and
energy with which this sanatory question has been
pressed forward upon the attention of the legisla-
ture and the public, by the medical profession, that
we mainly owe the efforts making to improve the
health of our towns ; and the members of that pro-
fession will not withhold their assistance, now that
we have at length been induced to proceed in
earnest. But we ought not to expect that the phy-
sician or the surgeon is always to he a self-sacri-
ficing individual. We exact no such forgetfulness
of self from the members of other professions.
The lawyer and the engineer retained for the public
service stickle for their fees ; and we cannot perceive
why the same amount of intellect and infinitely
more labour, and personal danger besides, which
are required to make a able doctor should not be
equally considered.
We should perhaps not have referred to this sub-
ject at all, but for a proposition made by our con-
temporary the Journal, who appears to think the
appointment of a sanatory medical officer unne-
cessary. Our contealporary asks :

Vk hat has he to do? To report upon the general
health. The local registrar does that, and the materials
of his report are not within individual means—they are
deposited in the fever ward, the dispensaries, and the sad
memorials presented at the record othce of death's doings.
The ablest physicians of the town accept as an honour
the privilege of giving advice gratis at our charitable
institutions. Would it not, therefore, be desirable to
bestow the £3OO a-year on the dispensaries, and permit
the resident surgeon to fulfil the condi'ions of the law, by
being nominally the municipal medical officer. The
sanatory report, when wanted, would then be derived
from a larger inquiry and more numerous sources. In
fact, it would be better than could in all likelihood be
furnished by an individual physician.
" The police have a surgeon attached to the force.
Could not be discharge the duties of the new office?—an
office which, after all, originated in legislative cant, and
an affectation of comprehensive humanity. In fact, a
doctor will not do, for the coroner needs a surgeon, not
a physician."
This is not in accordance with the Journal's usual
good sense. The ablest physicians of the town
have, in times past, "accepted as an honour the
privilege of giving advice gratis at our charitable
institutions ;" but they are tiring of such extreme
liberality, which they do not see imitated by mem-
bers of other professions. The resident surgeon of
the dispensaries have already sufficient to do ; and
are scarcely of the class best fitted for this new
office. A division of the labour attached to it
would, we admit, be very desirable. Some assis-
tance in performing it we can easily see will have to
be provided, if the act is to be made productive of
the utmost possible advantage. But all public ser-
vants who have to perform onerous public duties
ought to be paid liberally for their exertions, if their
efficiency is to be kept up. Fur a year or two par-
ties may remain satisfied with the mere honor of such
appointments ; but at length the appointments
themselves become honorary, and the duties attached
to them nominal only.

IMMENSE INFLUX OF SHIPPING INTO

LIVERPOOL

For some time past, owing to the prevalence of easterly
winds, some of our docks have been almost emptied, and
the labourers usually employed in them have been driven
to serious straits ; and many, doubtless, to actual want.
The worst feature of the case, however, has been the hold-
ing back in the Channel and in the Atlantic of those large
supplies of breadstuffs and raw materials, which it was
known were on their passage to this country : and the
consequent facilities afforded to the capitalist to exact
high prices from consumer,. A favourable change of the
wind, however, has hanpil) taken place. Early on Satur-
day a vast fleet of vessels began to pour into our river;
and by Sunday afterncon not less than 128 sail, many of
them large American and Canadian vessels, with cargoes
of breadstuffa, cotton. timber, &c., had come up, and,
with the exception o. 17, were safely docked.
Of the vessels docked 22 are from the United States,
with an aggregate registered tonnage amounting to 11,054
tons; 19 are from Canadian ports, aggregate burthen
10,019 tons ; 3 are East lndiamen, tonnage 1187 ; and the
remainder, other foreign and coasting vessels, tonnage
6280. Of the 17 vessels in the river, 7 are Canadian, 5
American, 2 East Indies, and 3 foreign. the tonnage of
which we may average at 500 each, or 37,000 tons in all
arrived from the Saturday morning's tide to the Sunday's
mid-day tide. We had fifteen foreign arrivals yester-
day, American, Canadian, &c., which, with another
fleet of coasters, will probably make up the whole to above
40.000 tons. This gratifying change is calculated to do
infinite service to our working poor, and all connected
with the shipping and docks of the port, whilst it may also
serve to arrest prices of the produce thus brought to our
shores.

DISHONEST FRAC rICES OF A LONDON
CUSTOMS LOCKER.
The London Times, in his city article, of Saturday
last, contains the following notice :
•• We are authorised to state that the duty on sugar involved
in the dishonest practices of a locker in the service of the
Customs, alluded to in a paragraph from the London Mercantile
Journal of the 17th instant, and alleged to amount to between
£20,000 and £30,000, does not exceed £260. The locker is in
custody, and legal proceedings have been instituted against
him, together with his confederates. This man having certified
the discharge, the warehouse keeper is fully exonerated."
This is an instance of the rare occurrence of a respect-
able journal giving too ready an ear to anonymous rumour.
Shakespeare told us long ago how credulous rumour was,
and how she " gathers as she goes." The press ought
to be careful on the score of authority, before giving cur-
rency to statements such as that contradicted above.

The able pamphlet by the Rev. Hugh IVl`Neile entitled
" The State in danger," has already reached a second
edition.

Sir W. M. Stanley, Bart., has returned to Hooton from
town, and thence the hon. baronet is expected to proceed
to the Earl of Chesterfield's, Bretby Park.
DEATH FROM BURNlNG.—Yesterday, an inquest was
held on view of the body of Ann Jones, aged 3 years.
Deceased lived with her parents in Beau-street, and being
left with another child, aged six, her clothes took fire, and
she was so much burned that she died on Saturday.
THE WEATHER.—Since our last publication the wea-
ther has undergone a change, which will enable thousands
of our out-door labourers, many of whom were for a time
thrown out of work, to resume their avocations. The
severe frost gave way on Friday evening, and was suc-
ceeded by a rapid thaw, Much rain has daily fallen since,
chiefly in heavy showers.
ALLEGED ROBBERY.—A man, named Patrick M'llroy,
(or Hayes,) was yesterday charged, at the Police-court,
by James M'lntyre, with robbing him of £slss. It was
stated that, in the absence of Mrs. M'lntyre, wife of the
complainant, and sister-in-law of the prisoner, the latter
assaulted the complainant in his own house, Prince
Edward-street, and took the money from his pocket. The
evidence not being quite complete, that of a little boy who
witnessed the transaction, the prisoner was remanded
until to-day.

LIVERPOOL CHARITABLE SOCIETY.—Our readers re-
quire no lengthenedlstatement to prove that there is at pre-
sent the most distressing want among the poor in this town.
If they needed any proof of the truth of this, it would be
supplied by a fact which we publish elsewhere in the re.
port of a coroner's inquest, held yesterday. from which it
will be seen that a poor man has died in Liverpool chiefly
from want of food. Among the societies engaged in mi-
nistering to the necessities of the sick and destitute, we
know of none which deserves better the support of the
humane than the Liverpool Charitable Society, whose ap-
peal is inserted in our advertising columns. The poor
are visited at their dwellings by the benevolent and highly
respectable members of the committee prior to any relief
being given.
DESTITUTION IN THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF
SCOTLAND.—On Sabbath last, collections in aid of the
fund on behalf of the above object were made in the Pres-
byterian Church, Myrtle-street, and Canning-street, and
we are gratified to learn that Mr. Ferguson's congrega-
tion responded to his powerful appeal by contributing
£ll4 13s. 61d., and that amount independent of a sum
received from members of other communions; Mr.
Welsh's congregation also raised £lOO Os. 4d. for the same
object ; and we trust that the example set by these congrega-
tions who have been subject to so many calls in the rear-
ing of their places of worship, will not be lost sight of by
their more opulent countrymen; and as the distribution
of the funds is to be wi•hout reference to sect or party.
that Scotch men of every communion will see it their duty to
go and do likewise.
DEATH FROM STARVATION.—An inquest was yester-
day held on the body of Martin Finnigan. Catherine
Freeman, a widow residing in Lace-street, said deceased
and his wife and three children came to lodge in her cellar
about a fortnight ago. They appeared to be in a very
destitute state, and got their living by begging. The wife
and children left the house on Friday morning about nine
o'clock. He went out along with them and did not return
until nine at night, when he was brought home by four
men. He then appeared very ill. He was put to bed and
died about two o'clock the next morning. No surgeon
saw him until after bis death. During the time he was
living in the cellar he had not sufficient food, and had
nothing but what he procured by begging. His wife had
applied at the Parish-office, and had been relieved twice
with bread, but the deceased had had no relief.—John
Connor, a police-officer, found deceased, on Friday night,
in Standish-street, about ten o'clock, standing against a
wall. Witness thought that he was drunk and went to
him, but found him sober, and hardly able to stand or to
speak.
On the way to Bridewell witness ascertained
where he lived, and two men took him to convey him
home. Witness saw him dead on Saturday night. Wit-
ness asked him some questions, but could not understand
what he said. He appeared to be in a state of destitution
and starving.—Mr. Kilner, surgeon, when he was called,
found deceased dead. On a post mortem examination he
found that death had been caused by disease of the lungs.
and the want of sufficient food combined. The want of
food was the principal cause of death. The jury returned
a verdict to the effect stated—disease of the lungs, and
want of sufficient food. The cellar is a most miserable
Place, and the body was stretched upon a litter of straw.
The mother (who is very ill) and the children have been
taken to the workhouse. In the same house in which the
poor creature died there are no fewer than eight sick
persons.

ARRIVAL OF THE STEAM-SHIP ANTELOPE

FROM RIO

The auxiliary steam-ship Antelope arrived at this port
yesterday afternoon from the Brazils. having left Rio on
the 2nd November. Bahia the 13th, and Pernambuco the
19th. She has been retarded on her passage by easterly
winds, but on the whole her voyage is very satisfactory—
occupying a period of three months and eight days out
and home, calling at the ports hoth ways, and discharging
and taking in full cargoes. She brings fifteen passengers
and voluminous correspondence. The Emperrr of Bra-
zils honoured the Antelope with a visit previous to her
leaving Rio, and enjoyed a sail in her round the bay.
Every facility and encouragement has been given by the
authorities in Brazil, who are anxious to promote quick
communication with this country, and it is to be hoped
out own Government will be influenced by the successful
experiment. .

The Antelope does not appear to bring any political
news of importanc • either from Brazils or the River
Plate, but there has scarcely yet been time to analyze the
papers received.
Exchange at Rio 284-d.
The following is a.. extract from a letter per Antelope
from Rio Janeira

"An immense number of persons have been on board ;
and amongst them the whole of the Ministers, many
senators and deputies, and finally, on the 30th October,
the Emperor honoured us with his presence, and took a
trip down the bay. He had a fine opportunity of seeing
her work, which she performed exceedingly well, and he
was highly delighted and expressed his sati•ifaction; both
be and the whole of the ministers, who also accompanies
him, expressing their desire that the company might be
successful and prosperous in their undertaking, and that
they might depend upon every possible protection and as-
sistance being afforded them. The ship went so easy that
the Emperor was not aware she was moving until his at.
tention was called to it."

The following were the passengers, fifteen in number :
Messrs. Thomas Dutton, Prince, Phillip, Vanzellar, and
Harkley ; Mons. and Madame Veatie and child, Mons.
and Madame Fabesheur, Mons. L. Pabeshenr, Captain
Bennett, Mons. Calse, Mons. Roulier, and two others.
We are glad to learn that the ship answered well in
every respect, the screw acting well, and the ship being
also a fast sailer. Her Majesty's steam-packet Daphne
left the same port 17 days before her, bound direct for
Portsmouth, and has not yet arrived.
The success of the Antelope is exceedingly gratifying,
inasmuch aq she is the first merchant sailing ship with
auxiliary steam driving tt e screw, that has performed so
long and rapid a transatlantic voyage. Her performances
reflect the highest credit on her intellectual commander,
Contain O'Brien. The experiment having realized the
fuliest expectations of the spirited proprietors, a regular
line of similar vessels will shortly be established to run
between the two countries ; and the example will doubt-
less be followed by other companies trading to other parts
of the world.

INCREASE IN PRICES OF BREAD STUFFS
AND OTHER ARTICLES OF GENERAL CON-
SUMPTION.

At the commencement of what is, in all probability,
destined to prove a severe winter, not only to our poor, but
to persons of limited incomes, it may not he uninteresting
to glance at the prices of articles of general consumption
now, and compare them with the price of the same articles
six months ago. We have therefore prepared a few data,
which we propose laving before our readers. And first
we take the article of Bread Stuffs.

On the 16th June, 1846, from the circulars of an in-
fluential house before us, we find that English superfine
flour was selling at 38s. to 40s. per sack, of 280 lbs. On
the 15th Dec. in-tans, there was none of the quality in
the market; but Irish superfine, of nearly the same quali-
ty, brought, in December, 50s. to 515., or an advance of
more than 25 per cent. The average of wheat for six
weeks ending 6th of June, was 555. 3d. In the six weeks
ending sth December it was 60s. 7d. Good general quali-
ties of oatmeal in June sold at from 28s. 6d to 31s. In
December the prices were 455. to 475., the increase being
over 50 per cent. Indian corn was sold in June at 355. to
365. for white, and 325. 6d. to 345. for red. In December
it was 70s for white, and 71s. to 725. for red, having
doubled its price in the six months. In all other kinds of
grain a rise has taken place.
The prices of the meat market it is not fair to quote at
present, as Christmas is a season at which feeding stuffs
are dear, whilst the demand for butcher's meat is great.
It is a fact, however, that prices have been on the ad-
vance for the past six months; and but for the great
scarcity of fodder our cattle markets must have ruled
much higher. The price of nearly every farm produce is
greatly advanced. Potatoes are beyond the reach of the
poor, and garden produce, apples, turnips, carrots, onions,
&c., are very dear, whilst fruit is almost a total failure.
We have also an advance in many other articles of con-
sumption. Tallow is ss. per cwt. higher at the close of
the year than in June; and candles and soap are propor-
tionably advanced. Palm oil, used extensively in soap-
making, was at £25 10s. to £26 per ton in June, and was
£35 10s. to £36 in the beginning of December; and has
advanced since. Lard, butter, bacon, cheese, &c., are
also very materially higher.
This is a sad state of things to contemplate, together
with a deficiency of employment for our workpeopls, dur-
ing the winter months. We trust, however, that the
hearts of the wealthy will not be closed against their
poorer neighbours, and that every effort will be made to
alleviate their sufferings.