The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-03-26 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS,

ROCK HARNIONICON BALL.—The ball at the Music-hall
takes place this evening, when the " rock harmonicon " will
be played upon by Mr. Davies and the inventor's three sons.
It is expected that it will be well attended.

CAUTION TO CARTERS.—Yesterday, a carter named John
Evans, was brought before Mr. Rushton, at the police-court,
on a charge of having been driving his cart in Highfield-
street, on the lith instant, whilst in a state of intoxication.
A policeman stated that he saw the defendant driving, and
owing to his negligence a man named William Howard, who
was crossing the street, was thrown down by the horse and
had his collar bone fractured. He was now lying in the
Northern Hospital. The excuse of the defendant was, that
the cart did not belong to him, that he had merely been
asked by the owner to drive it home for him, and that the
injured man was hurt by his own negligence. Mr. Rushton
ordered him to pay a fine of 20s, with costs, amounting to
£1 4s. Gd. The defendant said he had not the means to
pay, as he had a wife and family, and that he would not for
he was not blameable. Mr. Rushton said he had been to
blame, and he must pay. One-half of these carters were
greater savages than the beasts they drove. As to his hav-
ing a wife and family, what must become of the wife and
family of the man whose collar bone he had been the means
of breaking, whilst he was confined in the hospital, perhaps
for weeks ? The money must be paid, or the defendant must
go to gaol.
NUISANCE TO SHIP MASTERS AND OTHERS.—It is not
perhaps so generally known as it should he, that numbers of
crimps and lodging house keepers of the lowest class make a
practise of forcibly intruding themselves on board of vessels
while they are being worked from the pierheads to their
berths in the docks. These parties frequently conduct them-
selves in the most insolent manner to those who are in com-
mand, and persist in pursuing their vocation of kidnapping
the poor sailors, whom they frequently contrive, on such oc-
casions, to render unfit for duty by clandestinely supplying
them with spirits. It will be found that at the meeting of
the Dock Committee yesterday, Mr. Chapman forcibly no-
ticed thislnuisance, and proposed, as a remedy, that notice
boards should be placed at the several pierheads, lettered to
the effect that for the future, snch parties so forcing them-
selves on board of ships, either entering, or departing from,
any of the docks, without permission of the officers in charge
of the vessel, shall be ejected by the police or by the dock-
gatemen, who are special constables, and whose services are
available for the protection of shipping. As the parties com-
plained of are for the most part as ready.to purloin any loose
article as to seek whom they may devour amongst the sailors,
we think a new regulation passed by the proper authorities,
imposing a fine upon all such offenders, found on board with-
out authority, would probably render the proposed caution
more salutary and effective.

INGENIOUS ATTEMPT AT SWINDLING.—TWO respectably-
dressed sharpers, who gave their names Charles Stuart and
James Rcid, were placed before Mr. Rushton on Tuesday,
on a charge of having attempted to swindle a Welsh farmer,
of simple and unsuspecting appearance, named Evan Morris,
who stated that he lived in Merionethshire, of a sum of money
which they conceived him to have been possessed. The age
of the prisoner Stuart seemed to be about thirty, that of his
companion thirty-eight, and both exhibited the contour of
shrewd, intelligent fellows, who, having once determined on
plucking a simpleton such as complainant proved himself to
be, put every means in requisition for following up that de-
termination to the desired issue. Mr. Dowling stated, that
though the complainant had fortunately no money about
him, yet the prisoners used the most ingenious contrivances
for plundering their dupe. After treating him at a public-
house in Castle-street, they took him to the Dr. Syntax, and
resorted to all sorts of expedients to induce the poor old man
to exhibit the contents of his pockets. They exhibited a
number of bank-notes, purporting to be for £5 and £lO,
dated Birmingham, and issued by the Bank of Elegance ; but
all their efforts failed to accomplish their purpose, and whilst
the conversation was going on, the landlord, suspecting that
all was not tight, sent for a police-officer, who took th pri-
soners into custody. Mr. Rushton, after advising the na-
tives of the principality to follow the example of the com-
plainant, and carry no more money about them in Liverpool
than a. couple of shillings, sentenced the prisoners to be com-
mitted to the House of Correction, as rogues and vagabonds,
for three months. It appeared that the prisoners have for a
long period lived by swindling the unwary out of their money.
Stuart has been only a fortnight out of Kirkdale Gaol, where
he was confined under the vagrant act. Reid has been se-
veral times committed on similar charges, and keeps a house
of ill-fame in Charles-street.

On Saturday morning a large party of the friends of Africa
assembled at Woolwich, on board her Majesty's steamer
Albert, commanded by Captain Trotter, one of the three
iron steamers which form the Niger expedition, for the pur-
pose of witnessing some experiments in the speed of the
vessel, and on the novel and interesting apparatus for venti-
lation, and for medicating the air to be supplied below in
tropical climates. The Albert left her moorings off Wool-
wich about eleven o'clock, and steamed rapidly down the
river against a strong south-east wind, returning to her
moorings about two p.m. On the passage down various ex-
periments were made, under the immediate superintendence
of Dr. Reid, on the ventilating apparatus, which proved
highly satisfactory. Smoke and the vapour of several es-
sential oils were diffused through the five compartments,
into which this vessel is divided, and withdrawn with the
same facility ; thereby showing complete command of the
powers of ventilating every part of the ship when required in
a tropical climate. Amongst the company present were Sir
Powell Buxton and family, Hon. Sir Ashley Maude, and
others The expedition is expected to sail from Plymouth
the first week in April. On Tuesday his Royal Highness
Prince Albert visited the vessels destined for this expedition.
After examining every thing on board the Albert very mi-
nutely, Prince Albert descended into the pinnace of the
William and Mary, accompanied by the officers, to be con-
veyed to the other vessels, the band of the royal marines,
who were on board the Albert steam-vessel, playing the
National Anthem. The wind, which was at this period
blowing quite a gale,
and the tide running down with great
velocity, caused the pinnace in which his royal highness
was seated to come across the bow of the William and Mary
yacht, and in getting clear, broke the staff, on which was
supported a crown, similar to;those on the end of a sceptre,
which was fixed at the stern of the pinnace, and the crown
appeared to fall in the river. The prince laughed heartily at
the narrow escape the officers had from losing their hats
when they came in contact with the guys of the booms of the
William and Mary. Matters were, however, soon righted,
and, after visiting the Soudan and Wilberforce, his royal
highness landed at the dockyard, where Sir Hugh Dalrymple
Ross, commander of the garrison in the absence of Lieute-
nant-General Lord Bloomfield, was presented to him.

THr Mom. OF HOBART TOWN.—A very clever and in-
teresting model of Hobart Town is now exhibiting at the
Union Room. The public buildings, churches, and dwell-
ings are all spread before the spectator, and present a very
singular sight. We shall devote a space to this exhibition
in our next, and, in the meantime, recommend it to notice.
LIVER THEATRE.—The Liver benefits have been remark-
ably productive. Mr. Fogg's, last night, was a " brimful
bumper." We perceive that Mr. Raymond has announced
his to take place on this evening week, the last night of the
season, when a very capital house may be expected. The
" Tower of London " has been eminently successful : it is
adapted by Mr. Higgie.

SERIOUS DISASTER TO THE OYSTER FISHERMEN OF
KLOW.—We beg to direct the attention of our readers to
an advertisement, headed " Case of Distress," which appears
in another column. It will be seen that a visitation, which
human power could not avert, has at once deprived an indus-
trious set of men of the means of subsistence. We feel con-
fident that the benevolent wealthy classes of Liverpool will
not be backward in contributing their quota for the relief of
these distressed individuals.
ABSTRACTION OF THE WELSH REVENUE.—We are glad
to see that the friends of the Principality are not disposed to
suffer the contemplated robbery upon the ecclesiastical funds
of their country without a vehement remonstrance. As one
means of forwarding their objeci they have reprinted the
excellent speeches recently delivered in Liverpool as reported
in the STANDARD, and we beg to recommend to the serious
consideration of the public, and the practical attention of
Welshmen, the statements which they have an opportunity
of becoming possessed of, at a price within the reach of the
poorest.

CAUTLON.—A woman, who has been recently discharged
from the County Lunatic Asylum, where she was confined
after trial for a criminal offence, haS been lately going about
the county practising a novel system of fraud. She disco-
vers those parties who have friends in the asylum, and, pre-
tending that she is assistant matron at the institution, makes
such statements as to their health and treatment, as give rise
to the most painful apprehensions. Her object is to obtain
tea, sugar, money, and clothing, which :be alleges are for
the use of the patients for whom her dupes are interested.
She recently attempted to practise her impositions at Man-
chester, but was speedily checked. She is now in Liver-
pool, and it is to be hoped that the vigilance of our police
will quickly bring about an introduction between her and
the worthy magistrate who presides at our public office.
ENTRANCE OF THE JUDGES.—Their lordships Barons
Manic and Rolfe arriyett.in town last night a little after
seven, when, they immediately prpeceded to the Sessions
House, and opened the commission-with the usual formalities.
The judges, after attending 'church this morning, will adjourn
to their respective: courts. Baron Maule will try the civil
causes, and Baron Itigfe:-Will preside in the crown court'
The calendar is exceedingly heaVy, both numerically and as
regards the nature of the offences. The number of indivi-
duals'in custody for trial is five for murder,. and 68 for other
offences.

LIVERPOOL INFIRMARY.—The committee ptihis institu-
tion have made their ninety-second annual report, which is
for the year 1840. Through the zealous exertions of the
clergy and others, (for which the committee return thanks)
the subscriptions exhibit a nett increase of £303 14s 6d for
the year. Still the necessity for active exertions on the part
of the friends of the institution to swell the permanent in-
come, by obtaining new subscribers, is exhibited in the fact
of the treasurer having been compelled to borrow £359 16s
to meet the Christmas bills. We hope this fact will have the
effect of awakening the attention of the public to the import-
ance of giving adequate support to a charity—the objects of
which are so excellent, and the claims of which are so strong.

LIVERPOOL FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY.—That fine
composition of our immortal Handel—" Saul"—was per-
formed nearly without curtailment by the members of this
society, on Tuesday evening, at the Music Hall, Bold-street,
being their eleventh public performance. The concert was
well attended, and went off extremely well. The oratorio of
Saul is less known to the public than it should be; for it is
one which one never can hear without experiencing renewed
admiration of the great and varied genius of its author. This
was the first time of its performance in Liverpool, and when
the extreme difficulties attending the undertaking are consi-
dered, it must be allowed to have been a very successful ef-
fort. The choral parts were executed with precision and
effect; and the entire piece was so sustained as to afford,
without the aid of foreign talent, unflagging interest and
p!easure to a numerous and fashionable audience. We do not
enter into a detailed critique of the several parts, or their
execution ; but it would be unpardonable not to say that
Miss Stott, who had so large a share of vocal duty allotted
her, delighted the company by her execution of all she un-
dertook. This young lady gives promise of excellence of a
very rare kind indeed. Her. Noice is rich, full, and of great
compass, and exceedingly sweet in all its tones. She sings
with evident feeling and good taste, and already commands a
flexibility of intonation extraordinary at her years. Miss
France acquitted herself extremely well, it being her second
appearance in public ; she is a very promising young lady. The
orchestra was very effective, and led with great steadiness by
Mr. Eyton. The overture, symphonies, and accompani-
ments were almost faultless in their execution. The con-
cert concluded at a quarter before eleven, and dismissed a
numerous company highly gratified by the performances of
the evening.
RUNNING OMNIBUSES ALONG THE DOCK QUAYS.—In
common with many others, we have long thought that the
establishment of omnibuses, to run along the entire eastern
line of the docks, would be a very great convenience to hun-
dreds of parties, including merchants, shipowners, captains,
clerks, agents, &c., whose business requires them to move
about with as much celerity as possible in the neighbourhood
of our shipping. Those who have occasion to go from dock
to dock, particularly if they be at any considerable distance
apart, will bear us out in the assertion that the various ob-
structions to pedestrians, from carts and other machines,
crowds of passengers, and rough pavements, renders walking
in that quarter exceedingly tedious and fatiguing. A fore-
noon's walk, indeed, from the Clarence Dock to the Bruns-
wick Dock, and back, requires a serious expenditure of time
during the most valuable portion of the day. The only pre-
sent remedy is the hiring of a coach or car ; but these are
not always at hand, and from the highness of the charge,
they are available only by a comparatively few. We are glad,
therefore, to observe that it is in contemplation to establish
an omnibus to run along the whole line of the docks, and
that a preliminary meeting was yesterday held at the office
of Messrs. Challinor, Houghton, and Fleming, south end of
Brunswick Dock, for the purpose of considering the best
means of effecting the object in view. It was considered
desirable that, in the first instance, an omnibus should start
from either extremity of the docks each hour; the first re-
spective starts to be at nine o'clock in the morning, the next
at ten, and so on till the close of business hours. Should
these find ample encouragement from the public, additional
machines and horses might be employed, so that they might
start every half hour. Several gentlemen present highly ap-
proved of such conveyances; but no one was prepared to
suggest a definite plan of proceeding. Mr. Holt, who at
present runs one omnibus between the Exchange and the
south docks, was present, and gave some information as to
the cost of the carriages. Finally, it was agreed that a public
meeting should be called in a central part of the town next
week, at which Mr. Holt would produce estimates of the en-
tire cost, in machines, horses, stabling, &c., required for
such an establishment, and also to submit his own proposi-
tions relative to the undertaking. The meeting will, we be-
lieve, take place on Thursday next, of which, however, pre-
vious intimation will be given. We hope the attendance of
those friendly to the project will be numerous, and that their
efforts to supply this new accommodation to the town will
be successful.

SINGULAR SUICIDE OF A COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.—
On Saturday night last a double attempt at suicide, which
proved unfortunately successful, was made by Mr. J. S.
Rutland, aged 56, for many years a commercial traveller and
commission agent. The deceased, who was in the employ of
Mrs. Lyons, floorcloth manufacturer, Old Kent-road, ar-
rived at the. George and Commercial Inn, Market-place,
Sheffield, on Wednesday last, where he was in the habit of
putting up. On last Tuesday an inquest was held on the
body, and from the evidence adduced it appeared that on the
morning in question, the deceased not rising at his usual
hour occasioned the chambermaid, on passing his room, to
call him, when the deceased said he was getting up, and
would be down stairs shortly. Some time after the same
female again passed the door, but thinking he had fallen
asleep, passed on. About two o'clock, finding that be had
not made his appearance in the travellers' room, she went up
and peeped through the keyhole, when she saw the deceased
leaning with his back against the wall with his throat dread-
fully cut and the wound bleeding profusely. She instantly
alarmed the inmates, when the door was burst open, and the
deceased was found to be alive and partly sensible. A medi-
cal gentleman was immediately called in, who rendered
every assistance which professional skill could suggest, but
the deceased sunk under the attempt he had made. While
he was living he was repeatedly questioned as to the cause of
committing the rash act, but he would give no other answer
than that he wished to die, and repeatedly requested to be
allowed to die. The deceased had stated, that on the night
previous to his cutting his throat he had taken as much as
three ounces of laudanum to produce death, but which was
ineffectual. The medical gentleman who had been called in
stated that the death of the deceased was more to be attri-
buted to the effects of the poison than the wound in the
neck ; that he had attempted to insert the stomach pump, but
which the unfortunate gentleman resisted. It was also
proved that the deceased, who was a hard drinker, used to
labour under delirium tremens, and that since his arrival at
the house drank very hard. After a long investigation the
jury returned a verdict, that the deceased destroyed himself
whilst labouring under temporary insanity.—Times of yes-
terday.