The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-11 00:00:00

THE EVENING.—THE ILLUMINATION, &c.

Towards dusk the curiosity of the numerous outdoor com-
munity became more and more intense to see the illumine.
tions. These were not, certainly, so numerous nor so splen-
did as they would have been had our forces by sea or land
achieved " a noble victory ;" but they were, nevertheless,
numerous, considering the hasty notice of the event to be
celebrated, and extremely appropriate in design.
In Ranelagh-street, Mr. H. Wright's "Victoria House"
was beautifully illuminated by a crown in the window, and
a royal star. Messrs. Booker and Co., booksellers, exhibit-
ed a handsome illuminated star. Mr. Mullen, draper, show-
ed a beautiful crown in illumination, classically designed,
and surmounted by a globe and cross.
In Case's-greet, at Mr. J. Winter's, Globe Tavern, was
exhibited a real " Globe," in illuminated meridional arcs
from pole to pole. Here, too, a handsome royal standard
and other flags were displayed.
At the Palatine Club House, in Bold-street, a very beau-
tiful effect was produced by the simple but impressive word
" VICTORIA" in.illuminated Roman letters, in front of

the balcony. Mr. Woods, Adelphi House, showed several
excellent transparencies, surmounted by " The Bible, and
Sceptre, and Crown"—" Unity and Concord ; the Royal
Arms, with the motto " God save the Queen," and a
transparency of " St. George and the Dragon." At Mr.
Dismore's, watchmaker, the finely-cut Royal Arms over the
shop was overtopped by a triumphal illuminated arch, re-
presenting laurel leaves. The illumination was continued
along the cornicing of the shop on each side, finishing in a
nourish or device, and the whole was most brilliant and
effective.

The front of Ducrow's Royal Amphitheatre was brilliantly
illuminated, with a Crown between the letters " V. R."--
A fine portrait of the Queen, surmounted by a crown, with
a dove on the top, was fixed on the higher part of this classi-
cal building, surrounded by beautiful national flags of silk,
richly gilded and decorated. We rejoice to say that the
house was crowded to excess in every part, a compliment
only due to the talents and exertions of the spirited manager
and his equestrian corps.
The illuminations both at the north and south thorough-
fares of the town were numerous ; but we have not space to
particularize beyond a f:w of them.
At Mr. Lawson's, the Stanley Arms, opposite St. James's
Church, was produced a beautiful V. A., surmounted by a
crown formed of variegated lamps.
In London-road, at Mr. Thompson's music shop, there
was an admirable illuminated crown, with the letters V. R.
Here, as at the Amphitheatre and elsewhere, owing to the
height of the wind, the gas forming the device and letters was
frequently blown out, to the regret of some of the recently
arrived spectators ; but this disappointment was quickly re-
medied, as on the next lull of wind the whole again became
fully and brilliantly.ignited.
In Pembroke-place, corner of Daulby-street, Mr. Gibson
showed t wo brilliant stars in his windows; a good transparency,
in crimson letters, of " Victoria and Albert," and another—a
coat of arms, well-executed, in the parlour.
In Basnett-street, Mr. Shaw, of the London and Carling-
ford Oyster House, evinced his loyalty by a display of a fine
British flag during the day, on an erect pole twelve yards in
length ; and in the evening by a beautifully illuminated star
and crown, with the letters V.A. between.
One of the best displays, as we have already intimated,
was at Mr. Promoli's, in Church-street. In the centre was
a crown, with the letters V.A. in script, and on each side a
star. The dimensions of these were such as to illuminate
the whole range of the extensive building; but, owing to the
violence of the wind, the effect was somewhat deteriorated.

With this brief and necessarily imperfect sketch, we close
our narrative of the celebration of this national event in Li-
pool. Other • towns may have had more flags and banners
floating in the breeze, and the illuminations may have been
more numerous, and of superior brilliancy, but we will un-
dertake to say, that in no part of her dominions, has her Ma-
jesty, in the important change which she has made, received
more sincere wishes for her welfare, and the welfare of her
illustrious consort.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

ADJOURNED COUNCIL MEETING.

The adjourned meeting of the Council for the considera-
tion of the recommendation in the Finance Committee's re-
port to increase the salary of Mr. Charles Okill, clerk of
committees, from £7OO to £9OO per annum, was held in the
Town-hall on Friday. The Mayor presided.
After the despatch of the usual routine business, memo-
rials against the proposed increase were presented and read
from a meeting of the burgesses of North Toxteth Ward,
one from those of St. Paul's Ward, one from the committee
of the Tradesmen's Reform Association, and another from
the committee of the St. Anne's Ward Reform Association.
Mr. W. W. CURRIE then rose to propose the confirma-
tion of the report of the Finance Committee, recommending
an increase of £2OO per annum to Mr. Okill's present salary
of £7OO. As one of the representatives of North Toxteth
ward, he had received a copy of the memorial against the
increase, and he begged to say that upon all occasions it
was his earnest wish to pay attention to whatever fell from so
respectable a body of his constituents. But when they reposed
their confidence in him, and elected him their representative
fora limited period, they had not by that act fettered or con-
trolled his opinions ; on the contrary, they left him free and
untrammelled to exercise his own judgment. Indeed, had
they imposed any condition he should not have consented to
become one of their representatives; and he begged to say,
further, that if the vote he should think it his duty to give
this day were displeasing to his constituents, let them assem-
ble the burgessess of the ward by public notice, and if they
then said so, he would at once pay his £5O and retire from
the Council. They had heard the report of the Finance Com-
mittee read, but before he alluded to it lie would make one
or two remarks, in consequence of the very extraordinary
circumstances attending the agitation of this subject. To
judge from what had passed out of doors, it might be sup-
posed that the members of that committee appeared before
that council as a set of culprits to receive condemnation and
cashiering. Upon no occasion had the public mind been
agitated so much with so little knowledge of the circum-
stances which led the Finance Committee to arrive at the
conclusion mentioned in their report. When he considered
that much of this agitation originated from two or three in-
dividuals out of doors, who, to•use an expression of a friend
of his, ran about the town like mad dogs biting every person
they met, he must say that, at the least, proceedings of such
kind were not calculated to procure for any question that
calm consideration which ought to animate every person
before proceeding to its discussion in the Council. What
had been the conduct of the Finance Committee; With an
anxious desire to do their duty they had made themselves
masters of the subject, and having agreed to a recommenda-
tion in a certain way (for they knew well enough the power
of decision did not rest with them, but with the Council) they
reported that recommendation. If the recommendation was
not according to the views of the Council, in what position
were the committee? Why simply in that of having erred in
judgment ' • but surely no other charge could be brought
against them ! He thought therefore, the Council would
agree with him that the Finance Committee had not deserved
those shameful attacks which had been made upon them by
some portions of the public press. Never, he repeated, had
there ever been an occasion where such a persevering tissue
of misrepresentation and absolute untruth had been resorted
to. He would refer to two instances. It had been stated
that a respected member of the committee. had in vain at-
tempted to induce the committee to reconsider their recom-
mendation. Mr. Thornhill knew that statement to be
untrue. It had further been stated that the same member of
the committee had gone about declaring that he had never
heard any part of the report read but the heads, until it was
read for the first time in the Council. This was an untruth.
He was led to make these remarks because it was impossible
that the Finance Committee should continue to enjoy the
confidence of the Council ; and therefore it was with pain
and deep regret he had heard an insinuation, amounting
' almost to a statement on the part of Mr. Alderman Shell,
that he (Mr. Currie) had not done his duty when in report-
ing Mr. Okill's claims and services to the Corporation, he
had not, on the other hand, reported the rewards he had re-
ceived. The fact was, he had all that information ready,
and should have given it had he been called upon, and so he
stated to a member of the council. Mr. Currie then pro-
ceeded to detail the services of Mr. Okill from his connec-
tion with the corporation ; and in the course of his statement,
he read an extract from a letter written by Mr. Okill, in
which his labours on a variety of occasions were narrated.
The map, the town dues, and the river strand question, were
strongly insisted upon. The Finance Committee, he con-
tended, did not deserve the charges of profligacy, profusion,
and want of economy. They were as much friends to econo-
my as men could be, but they considered that Mr. Okill's
faithful and valuable services of twenty-four years entitled
him to receive the additional salary of £2OO per annum,
recommended by the committee. Mr. Currie concluded by
moving a resolution to that effect.
Mr. Alderman EARLE seconded the motion.
Mr. THORN/lILL confirmed the statements of Mr. Currie,
as to the misrepresentations that had gone forth.
Mr. Alderman SHELL in a very long address opposed the
motion.

Mr. MATHEn said, he should meet the proposition with a
decided negative. _

Mr. BOI:TON replied to Mr. Sheil, and proved that Mr.
Okill had been inadequately remunerated. Mr. Okill had
rendered more important services than the surveyor, and
therefore deserved larger remuneration. Mr. Bolton then
entered into a comparative statement of the expenses of
management under the old corporate system and the new,
with the view of showing the injustice of the charge made
against the Finance Committee of extravagance in proposing
the addition to Mr. Okill's salary. In the Town-clerk's
department there had been a saving of £6,000 a-year •in the
treasurer's, of £587 lOs ; and in the surveyor's, Of £606
10s. ; but in the department of clerk to the committees
there had been an increase of £155 ; but in the collection of
town dues there had been a decrease of £634. Mr. Bolton
went on to state that Mr. Okill had experienced much oppo-
sition from a party in the council, when he first became a
servant of the corporation, but that from attachment to its
interests he proceeded until he was able to render it the use-
ful services, in the town dues, leases, &c., which had been
stated. He (Mr. Bolton) particularly regretted to see the
violent language used in some of the papers, by some anony-
mous slanderers, directed against the Finance Committee,
which was composed of fifteen men of as high character,
wealth, and station, as any fifteen men in the council. They
had been branded •as simpletons, cripples, boobies ; as the
refuge for the destitute ; as blind-asylum fellows, who were
to meet this day to the tune of the rogue's march. This
language had been used by anonymous slanderers, one of
them subscribing himself A Thinking Man." From the
latin and other quotations, this person must have some pre-
tensions to scholarship ; now he (Mr. Bolton) wished that
" Thinking Man" might be brought to think more deeply,
in order that he might become an honest and candid man,
which he was not at present. With these observations he
should conclude by supporting the motion.
Mr. WOOLWRIGHT, said Mr. Okill, in addition to his
salary of £7OO, had received bonuses sufficient to purchase an
annuity which would make his income amount to almost
£9OO. He should therefore oppose the motion for an increase.
Mr. Alderman EARLE said the language used out of doors
was perfectly contemptible ; and he should say, though the
fact was now generally known, that the universal opinion was,
that it had been used by a man whose education ought to
have taught him better. Mr. Okill was a meritorious officer;
and after a faithful service of 36 years, when the proposed in-
crease was granted, he would not receive too much. He
(Mr. Earle) was glad that Mr. Bolton had demolished the
arguments of• Mr. Sheil about the maps.
Mr. SHELL explained that the report of the Finance Com-
mittee distinctly stated that " the only accurate map of the
estate was that of Mr. Eyes, made in 1765." If he was in
error, he erred with the committee.

Mi. EARLE said if Mr. Sheil had examined as he ought,
he would have found Mr. Eyes' map was one of the town,
and not of the corporate estate.
Mr. SHELL said 'it was not his business to examine; he
took the statement of the report.
Mr. CURRIE said it was a mistake in the report.
Mr. EARLE said Mr. Sheil had not opposed raising Mr.
Franklin's salary, and therefore in opposing Mr. Okill's he
was inconsistent. The nasty, crabbed, crawling, snarling
curs out of doors were opposing Mr. Okill because he hap-
pened to be a Tory. It was very contemptible for Reformers
to do any thing of the sort, seeing the high pretensions they
made ; they ought to know better, and he was sure they did
in the long run.—(Laughter.)
Mr. BLACKBURN said, though he had the honour to be
President of the Tradesmen's Reform Association he did not,
by any means, concur in the memorial which had been pre-
sented on the part of that body. In the first instance he was
opposed to any augmentation whatever to Mr. Okill's salary,
but having examined and carefully investigated the bearings
of the whole case, he had conscientiously changed his opinions.
The proposed increase had been designated out of doors, by
some parties to whom it was unnecessary further to refer, by
the term " job." But he would ask the Council, as men of
common sense, who ever heard of fifteen gentlemen joining
in the perpetration of a " job" for the advantage of apolitical
opponent? The idea was absurd, and could not be sup-
ported when tried by the test of reason and argument. The
fact was, the Finance Committee had made the recommenda-
tion from a sense of justice towards a very pub-
licmeritoriousll,
officer, although he might be of contrary opinion to
and from no other motive. He should vote for the tiea
proposed
increase, therefore, on the ground of justice.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES came forward,
observations of Mr. Bolton.
Thatgentleman had enume-
rated by the present
rated many savings which had been
_o Town-clerk's
clerk's department.
Corporation, particularly in the T chiefly to reply to the
erxesaetunitn ecdoarlpl
othraetiaocnc accounts
uanntds
wNiOliVrchheh
a(dMbreen . Holmes)published tad cayretfiliell y
with the accountsp of the former Cor-
he had compared them
Cor-
poration.
allowedo r at i on
a.
alch;tolfiallwoobeweintp the reosouml t
to
ATilite.
Fos
tCe
ro,r
grantingpora tion
him the whole of the feese.r annum
e present Town-clerk, De-
retaining
play, and the different Clerks, had a fixed salary, •

the fees ; but after this return there was a charge of 00._
against the present Corporation ; so that it followed that
we (the Council) were to give Mr. Radcliffe £6OO per annum
and the fees, we should be exactly in the same situatiop_res
the old Corporation were with their Town-clerk. He (l
Holmes) believed that Mr. Foster had received more than
£7OOO per annum ; but that had nothing to do with the
ex.
pense of the Corporation. Now he (Mr. Holmes) could
prove, and was ready to enter into the discussion whenever
the gentlemen opposite thought proper, that the present Cor-
poration were expending a sum of above £9OOO per ann ja
more than their predecessors. He would now enter upon
the discussion of the measure before the Council. He con-
tended, that up to the period of 1824 Mr. Okill could not be
considered as a servant of the Corporation. He was em-
ployed as an accountant : if he could have obtained employ-
ment more advantageous to himself, he would have left them.
In 1824 -he was taken into the service, at a salary of £l5O
per annum, to dhote all his time, and not to engage in any
other pursuit. But did the old Corporation, like Shylock,
exact their bond? They did not : after their engagement
with Mr. Okill, they advanced his salary to £f,400 per annum,
taking place from the time of his engagement, and made him
present of £5O. This increase of salaries must be resisted.
Ce (Mr. Holmes) was sorry that he had ever consented to
Mr. Franklin's increase. Then the cage door was opened.
First came out Mr. Franklin, now Mr. Okill, and others are
going to follow. There has been a complete commotion
amongst the public birds. We shall have them all picking
at us : they are all wanting to come and pick up the corian-
der seed, as they were termed in Ewart and Denison's elec-
tion. We must 'resist them ; we must, if possible, close the
cage door. Mr. Holmes concluded by saying, that no vote
he had ever given in that chamber had been productive of
more pain to him. He respected Mr. Okill, but conscien-
tiously he could not agree to the proposed increase of salary.
Mr. J. SMITH said his conclusion, from all that he bad
heard and learned himself, was, that it was decidedly inex-
pedient to increase the salary, and therefore he should meet
the recommendation with a decided negative.
Mr. SANDS could not, after listening to the arguments of
Mr. Bolton and Mr. Currie, act otherwise than vote for the
motion.
Mr: COOPER in his own pursuits, had experienced the ad-
vantage of having the boundaries f property correctly laid
down. He thought, therefore, that the splendid map com-
pleted by Mr. Okill, independently of his other qualifica-
tions and services, entitled him to all that he had received in
addition to the proposed increase to his salary. He would
strenuously support the motion ; and the Council would deal
unjustly with a valuable officer if they rejected it. (Loud
cries of " Vote" and " Divide."
Mr. DUNCAN having- beard all the arguments for and
against the motion, regretted that he found himself unable to
comply with the request of his constituents. When he en-
tered the room, his mind was not made up; but he was now
convinced, and he should vote for the increased salary.
Mr. COGLAN was by no means convinced of the justice or
expediency of the proposed increase. Mr. Okill had re-
ceived £7OO per annum, besides bonusses to a very large
amount, consequently his services, valuable as they un-
doubtedly were, had been adequately remunerated, especially
when the funds of the corporation and other claims that
might arise from other servants, were taken into considera-
tion. He would oppose the motion.
Mr. JORDAN condemned the " ribaldry, malignity, and
virulence," of that part of the press which had opposed the
grant to Mr. Okill, and said it was conduct which resembled
that of the viper sucking the file. He protested against the
course pursued by one paper, in undertaking to decide be-
fore hand how that Council would decide this question.
Certain names had been set down, and others omitted—but
so impudent, barefaced a mode of treating the opinions of
the Council he had never before seen exemplified.
Mr. EVANS, after a few brief remarks, proposed an amend-
ment, to the effect that, instead of the proposed increase of
£2OO per annum, a bonus of the amount of £lOOO be given
to Mr. Okill, as a final compensation for his " past" services.
Mr. BRIGHT seconded the amendment, and briefly expos-
ed the extravagance of the other proposal.
The TOWN-CLERIC said the " grant" of a sum of money
for past services could not be sustained under the municipal
act, however a " claim" might be. He was of opinion that
the amendment was illegal.
Mr. BUSHELL presumed that Mr. Evans', or rather the
Town-clerk's, difficulty must have arisen from the terms of
the amendment. He (Mr. Bushell), however, thought the
difficulty might be got rid of by moving an equivalent—that
was by proposing that Mr. Okill should receive an additional
£lOO a-year. He was not going into the subject at length.
Like many others, he had come prepared to hear the argu-
ments, and to vote accordingly. He took Mr. Evans' view.
As to the conduct of the press, he considered it would have
been better for those who felt aggrieved to have complained
to the proprietors, than to have noticed it here. Mr. Bushell
concluded by moving an amendment; to the effect that Mr.
Okill's salary be increased to £BOO per annum.
Mr. PRIESTLEY seconded this amendment.
Mr. ROBINSON would vote for the original motion, and
would have supported a proposition for £lOOO. a year to Mr.
Okill, as suggested by Mr. Hornby- at a previous meeting,
if it had been proposed.
Mr. CURRIE briefly replied, and contended that Mr. Okill
bad never shewn any political spirit in his office.
The vote was then taken, when there appeared
For the amendment—Messrs. Thornhill, Isaac Holmes,
Franklund, Mellor, Priestly, Woolright, Rathbone, Glad-
stone, Bushell, Coglan, G. Holt, Evans, Bullev•
Against it—J. Holmes, Quayle, Houghton, Sands, H.
Holmes, Pilcher, Bolton, Bright, Yates, Cooper, J. Law-
rence, Robinson, H. Lawrence, Wood, Morecroft, Rigby,
Seger, G. H. Lawrence, Leigh, Smith, Platt, M'Kee, Jor-
dan, Duncan, Currie, Mather, Sheil, Booth, J. Hornby,
Roskell, Earle, Moon, Barclay, T. Holt, Harvey, the Mayor.
For the amendment .
Against it
Majority • —22
The original motion was then put, and the numbers were
For the motion—Messrs. J. Holmes, Thornhill, Hough-
ton, Sands, H. Holrues, Pitcher, Bolton, Bright, Rathbone,
Cooper, J. Lawrence, Robinson, H. Lawrence Wood, Glad-
stone, Rigby, Segar, G. H. Lawrence, Leigh, 'Platt, Jordan,
Duncan, Currie, Booth, J. Hornby, Roskeil, Earle, Moon,
Barclay, T. Holt, Harvey.
Against the motion—Messrs. Quayle, Preston, Frank-
land, Isaac Holmes, Mellor, Priestly, Woolright, Bushell,
Yates, Morecroft, Coglan, Smith, M`Kee, Mather, Sheil, G.
Holt, Evans, Bulley, and the Mayor.
For the motion
Against it
Majority
Absent—Messrs. Hodgson, Case, Sandbach, Wright,Bar-
ton 11. Hornby, Lassell, Carson, Blackburn, R. Jones, jun.
Leathom, C. H. Jones, Benn, Freme.
The Council, after some discussion as to the day, adjourned
to Wednesday next, at doyen o'clock.

CULTURE OF WHEAT IN `THE WEST

INDIES.

'We copy the following from the prospectus of a new
publication, entitled " A Memoir of the practicability
and advantages of the culture of Wheat in the West
Indies, by William Hamilton, M. 8., of Magdalen-
Hall, Oxford, late Secretary to the Royal Devon
and Cornwall Botanical and Horticultural Society,
Author of the Prodromus Plantarum Inda! Occiden-
talis, Honorary Member of the Medico-Botanical So-
ciety of London, &c. &c.:--

Gramina pecudibus germinare facit et herbas ad usum

homin6l.—PsAL. civ. v. 14

•-•
The introduction of wheat tillage into the British
settlements in the West Indies, is a problem equally
interesting to the philanthropist and the philosopher—
the statesman and the political economist—the manu-
facturer—the merchant—and the West India proprie-
tor. As was admirably expressed by the learned and
benevolent President of the Jamaica Agricultural As-
sociation, at a recent meeting of that useful body—
" the cultivation of wheat has kept pace with the
civilization of man, and may be traced from the sun-
shine of the south to the darkness of the north of
Europe, keeping pace with the march of improvement
and the cultivation of letters. This reflection leads me
to remark upon a singular coincidence—namely, the
arrival of this wheat, its cultivation, and its first fruits
being reaped in Jamaica at the very period of the ex-
tinction of that remnant of barbarism, the apprentice-
ship system. You may not, gentlemen, be disposed to
regard this in the same light as I do, as a happy omen
in the times, but you must admit that it presents to you
a new era in the employment of labour in this country,
in the cultivation of an article which constitutes the
principal food of civilized man—particularly if future
experiments should confirm the important expectations
which may be fairly founded upon the reports which I
now present to you. This happy, splendid, peculiarly
favoured little parish (St. Dorothy's ?) may boast of its
Guinea corn alolcus Sorghum) ; but we must recollect
the precarious and uncertain cultivation of that grain;
and do your best, it will give but one crop in the year,
whereas the Victoria wheat promises three, if not four
crops annually, and seems to grow equally well in the
arid plains of Vere and the humid mountains of Cla-
rendon and St. Ann's." This is not the raving of a
lunatic or enthusiast, drawn from the regions of ima-
gination, and destitute of the semblance of reality—it
is not the untried speculation of some visionary theo-
rist, based upon abstract reasoning, unsupported by
even the shadow of fact—but the deliberate opinion of
a man of sound judgment, enlightened understanding,
and rational philanthropy, founded on evidence of the
most unquestionable character, and the results of fre-
quent and patient experiment—and as such entitled to
the utmost confidence.

The Editor of the Barbadian, a paper distinguished
for its zeal in the cause of the colonies, and far from
lending itself to the propagation of opinions opposed
to its own, in the publication of the 15th May, 1839,
introduces a valuable communication from Mr, B. T.
Young, an intelligent and enterprising planter of Bar-
bados, on this subject, with the following remarks,
strongly indicative of the interest and importance at-
tached to this novel invasion of the ancient prejudices
of the West Indian agriculturist :
" With exceeding pleasure we publish Mr. B. T.
Young's valuable- communication on the
Victoria wheat. The public will, cultivation of
in time to come, owe
much to the patriotic zeal of this gentleman, and to the
practical application of his talents and knowledge to
the benefit of his country. We received from a friend
of Mr. Young's yesterday,
a sample of the wheat pro-
duced on his estate (Fairfield), at the moment that an
experienced agriculturist was with us, who pronounced
the grains to be as full as any he ever saw in England.
He received an ear of the wheat also, and means to cul-
tivate this valuable plant. We have no doubt it will
be generally cultivated, and will, at no very distant pe-
riod, form a staple article of West Indian produce.
When we shall be insensible to the things of earth,
shall be where there will
and he neither sowing nor
reaping,
other generations will, perhaps, recollect that
a newspaper called theßarbadianfirst brought to the
notice of the planters of Barbados the cultivation in
the island of this Victoria wheat when they are eating
their delicious bread made from it."
To these testimonies may be added others, all tend-
ing to prove the deep and growing interest at length
awakeniug on this subject in the West Indies, and cal-
culated, if dul fostered and encouraged, to produce
themost desirable results both moral and social; but
to notice them here would be to convert a prospectus
into a pamphlet. Suffice it, therefore, to say, that the
object of the proposed publication is to promote this
feeling of interest to its utmost possible extent, both at
home and in the West Indies, among all classes of
persons who are desirous, from whatever motives, to
promote the welfare and develope the almost illimitable
resources of those fair and fertile regions.

THE MAYOR'S GRAND BALL, IN HONOUR OF
THE QUEEN'S MARRIAGE. AT THE TOWN.
HALL.

We have just left this unprecedented scene of loyal festi-
vity. The first detachment of elegantly dressed belles and
beaux have had the inviting doors of the spacious supper-
room closed upon them, to prevent the ingress of a single
additional couple, beyond the comfortable complement of
the apartment. Having adverted to this point—the :es-
sential one of comfort—we may at once dispose of it in
reference to the whole arrangements, by obSerrireg that
so judicious and practical were ail the "orders of the
evening," that order, hilarity, comfort, and unalloyed
satisfaction, reigned undisturbed. Seldom have se many
happy faces been seen assembled on the occasion of a
public entertainment. At half-past eleven o'clock, up-
wards of sixteen httadred tickets had been received at the
ground entrance by the appointed officers in waiting.—
The music was worthy of the occasion, and a credit to
Liverpool, and to every performer whose talent was in re-
quisition. The instrumental music of Liverpool is pro-
verbial : it is admitted as the best out of- London. The
promenading gave rise,to no confusion. There was no un-
seemly hustling or jostling—thanks again to the ppe-
voyance, as the French would say, of our worthy Chief

magistrate. Parties were requested to
.keep to the right
in their locomotions—a request which was punctiliously
observed to the general comfort and self-possession of every
member of the gay enlivening and lively throw-. It was

literally a mob of comeliness, elegance, and beauty.
We observed several of the handsomest women, who, per-
haps, in point of figure and deportment never were surpassed
in a local assemblage called together by public invitation.
We shall see what our contemporaries observe on this head.
The dresses of the ladies were the theme of admiration, with
pany a groupe of colloquial observers. Indeed at no pe-
riod, since the earliest part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
has the fashion been more happily in favour of the natural
graces of the natural figure of the ':feed female form. We
must be understood as more particularly adverting to the
ball dress The future historian who chronicles the charac-
teristic costume of the female dress of the present auspicious
reign, will doubtless dwell con amore on this point of re-
semblance between the " effect" of the ladies costume in the
reign of Victoria the bridal Queen of 'England and her
colonies, and that of the intellectual and maiden Elizabeth
of happy memory.

We purposely deviate from the custom heretofore observed
in the provinces, of appending a chao3 of names of the dis-

t ingues present. As one more honoured in the breach than
in the observance, it is becoming obsOlete in the country,
and is no longer countenanced by the new regime in tou>n.
The Mayor's bearing, and everything having reference to
his position before and during this loyal ball, have given
unqualified satisfaction. He has
" bought golden opinions from all sorts of people."

He is at this moment—we mean " Joshua Walmsley"—
Sir Joshua about to be—one of the most enviable public
characters, whose station is in the monarchy of the middle
classes of England. In Liverpool, where party feeling
has unavoidably ran high, and been intemperate because of
the depth of its sincerity on the part of the conservatives
and all true hearted friends to the Established Church of
the land, no public man who before his accession to
office took part with those profesthzy " opposite principles"
enjoys a more thorough esteem than the present mayor.
It must have delighted the man, as much as it must .have
gratified the chief magistrate, to see so many of the enter-
prising and worthy of the tradespeople of the town swelling
the throng of parties of all grades and shades of political
feeling, who responded to his invitation to the Town-hall on
an occasion in which their willingness to sink and merge
private and sectarian tenets, was promoted additionally by
their appreciation of his public conduct—conduct, be it re-
peated, every way worthy of unconditional imitation.

`1"If we thought the length of a notice on such a subject as
this, was any recommendation, and not its tone and feeling,
we should have extended our remarks to the most exhausted
detail. We know that our good will needs no such " line by
line" beseecher of sweet voices. In a word, this ball, in
connexion with the occasion, will long be remembered with
all the pleasing associations which it must have set up i❑ the
bosoms of the beauteous women and worthy men who had the
honour of being present; and not the least satisfactory thought
which at some aftertime will rise to the remembrance cf the
political partizans of conflicting parties who met and contri-
buted to its felicitous " going off" will be, that to their cre-
dit it was during the Mayoralty of Joshua Walmsley, Es-
quire.

LAUNCH OF THE BRITANNIA STEAM SHIP.

We are now to notice an event which will, probably, turn
out a very marked feature in the annals of this country, in-
asmuch as it is the commencement of a mode or communica-
tion between the old and the new world, which brings them
within one-half of the former passage, and thus strengthens
the relation in which they stand to each other, as parent and
child. The launch of the Britannia steam-ship, which took
place yesterday, from the building yard of Messrs. R. Dun-
can & Co. Greenock, was an event of general interest, and
we,:therefore, do not regret having
j left Glasgow for the pur-
pose of being a spectator, and of joining in the warmest ex-
pressions of congratulation on the occasion. The launch of
a trim-built and sea-worthy craft, is at all times a pleasing
and most gratifying spectacle, and never did we witness more
intense interest on any similar occasion. It ought to be
mentioned, that the name of the vessel was pronounced by-
a Lady, Miss Isabella Napier, and we cannot doubt that it
was on that account the more cheerfully received. At the
risk of bring tedious we should add a very brief statenient of
the ship's dimensions, its capabilities, and of the trade for
which she is intended. The Britannia is the first of the
North American Royal Mail steamers. Her length from
traffrail to figure head, is 230 feet, the breadth of her beam
is 341 feet, and the depth of her hold 22 feet 6 incheS. She
is to be propelled by two engines, each 220 horse power, and
when put to sea, will be succeeded by other three ships of the
same dimensions and similar construction, all intended, as
we have said, to carry the mails and passengers &c. between
Liverpool and North America, a scheme it will be remem-
bered, which was originated by the Ilop. S. Cunard, of Ha-
lifax, Nova Scotia, who, with a small party of influential
gentlemen in Glasgow, is associated in this great undertak-
ing. The vessel's hull and machinery are constructed under
the direction and superintendence of Mr. Robert Napier, of
the Vulcan Foundry, Glasgow, and when we mention this
gentleman's name as connected with such a work, we give
sufficient guarantee, that, when completed, nothing' better•
will be found in the kingdom. The accomodation of the ves-
sel is provided on an improved and magnificent scale, the
cabin below deck being fitted up with spacious
.and well
ventilated state-rooms. The dining saloon will he unique,
and we may safely say, that from the keel to the topmast
everything will be found substantial, and adapted to the
course the vessel is to take.—Glasgow Couriev, 6th February.

CAPTAIN CLEGG, OF THE " HUDDERSFIELD."

•
TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVraPOOL STANDARD.
SIR,—A paragraph having at 1-)2ared in the Liverpcol
Chronicle of Saturday, the Bth instant, giving an account of
the assistance rendered by the steamer Vale of Clwyd to
Captain Clegg, after he had been fortunate enough to save
the passengers of the steamer William Huskiecon, and com-
plaining that the captain had not been more adequately re-
munerated, I beg to say this statement is totally at variance
with the account I received from my brother; but, in order
that the public may be put in full possession of the facts, 1
have forwarded the paragraph to him at Milford, and when
I receive his answer the particulars shall appear in your
valuable appear.—l am, sir, yours respectfully,
Liverpool, Feb. 10th. 111. CLEGG.

BALL AT THZ ALBION HOTEL, ON THE CHESHIRE
StiORE. A fancy ball, in honour of the marriage of
the Queen, took place at the Albion Hotel, in Birken-
head, and was numerously attended. The costumes of
the parties were unusually splendid, including those of kings,
queens, prnices, peasants, and ploughbqs. There were
present Spanish cavaliers, Greeks of princely assumption,
Armenians, Italians, and ruffians of all whiskered qualities
and degrees. Not having ourselves been present at the ball,
we can but state, from the report of a friend, that tile ball
went off with great eclat, and that the utmost satisfaction
was expressed by those present, with the entertainments.
Amongst the characters, Dr. Syntax was well personated by
Mr. Ruby. Mr.. King appeared to great advantage. as Prince
Rolando. Mr. R. M`Gowan appeared in the undress of
the 12th Lancers ; and Mr. Jas. Aspinall as a French officer.
The ball went off iwith some ecliit ; but we are bound to
state that the attendance of ladies was p.roportionately
slender, and that the enjoyment of the evening was conse-
quently contracted. The spirit of the entertainment
was, however, kept up throughout the night, and the visitors
left the scene of amusement highly pleased with the enter-
tainments of the day.

PORTRAIT OF PRINCE ALBERT.—We perceive from the
advertisement that Mr. Buriand, of Church-street, will ex-
Friday, and Saturday next, the only ori-
ginal and authentic portrait of His Royal Highness l'rince
hibit on Thursday,
of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, painted by command, at
Albert
the Palace of Gotha, b Georgeaintin Patten, A.R.A. Report
a„akf highly of this pg, and we. have no doubt• that
manyof our townsmen will be anxious to possess a copy of
the engraving.
Miss YANIEWICZ.--This lady has announced her concert
for Monday evening next, in theTemplars' Hall, 'G
relit George-
street. Several eminent
performers are engaged, and.these,
combined with the powers of Miss Yaniewicz, cannot fail of
giving general satisfaction. We beg to recommend this con-
cert to all our friends.
LIVER THEATRE.—The Liver theatre was crowded to
excess last evening ; indeed, we believe it was the largest
house of the season. Mr. T. D. Rice kept the audience in
a continued roar of laughter, by his humourous delineation
of the negro character ; and Mrs. Raymond sustained admi-
rably the laurels she has achieved. A very clever and racy
actress will be found in the person of Mrs. Barton. What-
ever she does, she does well ; and her arch liveliness in the
characters which suit her, tells with great effect. Mr. Rice
takes his benefit on Friday next.

Passengers by the packet-ship Columbus, Captain Cropper,
from New York in 17 days :—Mr. Brown, Royal Artillery ;
Messrs. Seymour, Whitney' Levegque, Baudrie, Standfield,-
and Richard, of Montreal ; Mr. Getz, Germany.
JUDICIOUS SUGGESTION.--The committee appointed to
report to the Town Council the manner most -desitablz: for
celebrating the Queen's wedding-day have proposed a sub-
scription in aid of the funds of the public charities of £5OO,
to be increased to £lOOO, if the public should raise £2OQO, a
friend, who takes a deep interest in the Dispensaries, and is,,
therefore anxious to increase their ftinds, suggests, that the
clergy of every denomination might assist tbe subscription, if
they would tuakecollections, in their respective places of wa-
ship, in aid of the £2OOO subscription: The suggestion is
worthy of the consideration of the clergy, and thoe who :IP-
prove of it, will, we trust, ,act upon it on-an early Sunday•
TUE WHY HUDDEItSFIELD.:—II, will he fresh in ewer
body's memory, that this vessel, in rescuing ;
nalety,turee
souls from the wreck of the William If uskisson,.parried away
her bowsprit, and was forced to return to 1410iPc?°1 to re-
pair that and other damages sustained by coining in contact
with the steamer. She sailed again on the 14 inst. on her
voyage to the coast of Africa; but in going doWnhe channel,
she came, during one of the nights of last week, in contact
with a barque, supposed to be Pii the hnyta, I)
_nice for Deto
era, and carried away her bmrsprit and „inAmed her stem.
Both vessels put into Milford to repair dainage. It 14' f;..er-
tainly singular, that the .Huddersfield should 1.6:!e her 'bow-
split twice in the course of four weeks.