The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-08-10 00:00:00

TO CORRESPONDENTS

If a " Sunday-school Teacher " had written his communi-
cation upon one side of the paper, and forwarded it at an
early hour in the day, we might have been able to have
used it ; but it was received too late, and, for the cause
assigned, it was useless. It is left out for him, if he thinks
proper to re• write it.

Ebr Zibrrpool &tanbarb.

TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 10, 1841.

By the papers brought last week by the Crane, we
observed that the good people of the West Indies, who
had just heard of the defeat of ministers on the sugar
question, were wondering what would come next. We
are not surprised at their perplexity; but amidst the
diversified intelligence contained in these papers, it
gave us pleasure to observe that the prevailing tone of
feeling is far from despondent. A public meeting,
most numerously attended, had been held at Trinidad,
at which strong resolutions were passed " condemnatory
of the presumption that there was a necessity for the
mother country to resort to other than her own colonies
for a supply of sugar, especially to those cultivated by
slaves, and declaring that that island alone, from its
extent and fertility, was capable, with a sufficient la-
bouring population, of producing more sugar than the
inhabitants of Great "Britain can consume, and at a
cheaper rate by free labour than it can be raised in any
country where slavery prevails, provided the restric-
tions which now impede the free current of immigra-
tion be removed, and that an adequate protecting duty
be continued to the British grower until he can obtain
a sufficient supply of free labour. These resolutions
were to be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary, and the
official support and recommendation of the Governor
requested." . _ _

Here then is a statement which is well worthy of
consideration, granting even that it should in some
measure exaggerate with regard to the capabilities of
this one island. It shows the strong confidence enter-
tained by the inhabitants in its resources—a confidence
which it is not to be supposed they would either feel,
or affect, if there were not some foundation for it.
They assert that Trinidad alone is capable of producing
more sugar than the inhabitants of Great Britain could
consume. We have no need to put the assertion to
the proof; but there is enough •in it to make us pause
when anything so anti-national and monstrous is pro-
posed as that of abandoning our own colonies, and re-
sorting to slave-cultivated countries for an article which
these, our own colonies, are capable of supplying us
abundantly with.

It is a healthy sign that there is almost no other se.
rious complaint but the want of labourers in the
islands, and that great exertions are being made to
procure them. There is no despair of being able to
cultivate by means of free labour only. Recent efforts
to obtain free immigrants have met with encouraging
success. At Jamaica it was ascertained that only two
families, from London, had quitted the island, and that
the departure of these was looked upon rather as a
gain—contrary to a report that many late immigrants,
becoming dissatisfied, had left. A Mr. Hamilton had
given evidence before the committee of the Agricultural

and Immigration Society highly favourable to the plan
of procuring labourers from the superabundant popu-
lation of Sierra Leone. During a residence at the lat-
ter place, where every source of information had been
open to his inquiries, he had become convinced that
when the absolute freedom and the high wages of la-
bour which await the emigrants in the colonies became
known, an abundant supply would he obtained from
the surrounding countries. In such intelligence we

discover a spirit of activity and enterprise which augurs
most favourably for the future prosperity of our West
Indian colonies, provided only that they receive that
protection and support from the home government to
which they are justly entitled. We possess in that re-
gion a mine of wealth as yet but imperfectly explored,
and not half developed. We have as yet but a most
imperfect idea of what may be done there by free la-
bour. "Absolute freedom and high wages" will not
fail, after a while; to produce the effects which so
tempting a bounty is well calculated to do, and bring
into the market an abundant supply of labourers, and
"absolute freedom and high wages" will be certain to

beget in the seettlers a spirit of acquisition, and a de-
sire for the luxuries of life, which will be beneficially
felt at home in an increased and increasing demand for
our manufactures. Here is a market subject to no va-
riation from the interference of foreigners, and where,
without being contaminated by the pestilent vapour of
slavery, our trade may he as free as the air we breathe.
If all the discussions we have lately had on foreign
trade, shall have the effect of calling public attention
to the immense resources possessed by this country in
her colonies and colonial trade, and a proper cultiva-
tion of them, the consummation will be indeed a most
happy one.

Complaints are made in the Jamaica papers of the
increase of mendicancy in the streets, far beyond what
was ever known before, and the fact was giving rise to
speculations on the prospective necessity of regular
assessments for the relief of the poor on the principle
of poor laws in the mother country. The existence
and the prevalence of mendicancy is, however, a natural
consequence of the enfranchisement of the people from
slavery, foreseen and foretold by prudent observers at
the time of the passage of the Emancipation Act. The
same result may invariably be traced in the history of
all old communities, where, on the abolition of the
feudal system, the people released from a state of vas-
salage in which the duty and the burden of their sup-
port fell upon the liege lord or proprietor, were, in re-
turn for the personal liberty and rights thus acquired,
thrown upon their own industry and resources for
support. It is not difficult to comprehend that sooner
or later the West India colonies will have to resort to
poor laws in addition to the laws for the suppression
of vagrancy which they have already enacted.

Some of our brethren of the Conservative Press are
not disposed to acquiesce in the policy of that self-
denying ordinance of Sir Robert Peel, which will have
the effect of leaving in the hands of an individual
Whig the office of Speaker, with all its emoluments
and dignity, and certainly it is no trifling sacrifice :
such a one as we should never expect from a leader of
the adverse party. We have struggled, say the dissen-
tients, not only for a change of measures, but a change
of men ; we have fought hard, and we have won : why
then are we not to reap the fruits of a glorious vic-
tory ? We have had enough of conciliation, and must
have no more of it. Was it ever heard that the
Speaker of the House of Commons was the chosen of
the minority of the House ? Sir Robert Peel has, by
this false move, greatly damped the ardour of his
friends, and, if he continue to act on this tack, must
destroy either the cause confided to his conduct, or
himself as the leader of the Conservative party. Such
is the view taken of this step by some of our talented
and esteemed confreres of the constitutional press, and
we freely admit that, at the first blush, the case might
easily wear that aspect with which it seems to have
presented itself to them ; but a very slight annotation
of particulars must serve to show that they judge
hastily.

We admit that we have been engaged in a long and
severe conflict ; but has it been for nothing more than
to put a few individuals of our own party into com-
fortable berths ? Has it been no more than a scramble
for offices, and do we lose the fruits we looked for,
when a single place or pension which might have been
secured to a follower eludes our grasp ? Surely it will
not be said so. Conservatism, as we understand it,
has had in view a far nobler and more comprehensive
range of objects. Its steady, unvarying principie, we
take to be the greatest happiness of the greatest num-
ber by the agency of sound instruction and just mea-
sures, and we shall not permit ourselves to call anything
anti-Conservative that does not aim at obstructing, or
that is not practically a hindrance to, these great ob-
jects. The simple question then is, does our leader
make any sacrifice of our great cause, whatever he may
do as regards his immediate friends, by declining to
wrest the office of Speaker from the hands of its pre-
sent occupant ? We answer that question in the ne-
gative, and for two reasons—first, because the office is
not a party one, but judicial rather than political, and
because, when it is fairly and properly discharged, as
it is allowed to have been in this case, Conservatism
can sustain no injury from its being in the hands of a
merely nominal Whig ; and, secondly, because Mr.
Shaw Lefevre would not be removed without the

country having to pay him a pension of £4,000 a-year.
This latter consideration would probably he but a ba-
gatelle in Whig estimation, but it is something in the
contemplation of a Conservative, and, as an evidence of
principle, it will be a great deal in the opinion of the
country. Whigs talk of economy; let it be seen by
the people that the Conservatives practise it. Sir Ro-
bert Peel is bound to act in conformity with his own
opinions, and ought not to suffer in our esteem for his
strictness in this respect, and it is known that he ar-
gued against the selection of Mr. Abercromby to fill
the office of Speaker chiefly on the ground that it was
not a political appointment, and that mere party consi-
derations ought to he laid aside in selecting the person
to occupy it. The Whigs, it is true, did not adopt this
doctrine, or at least took good care that the most
" senseless and fit man" should be of their own party
when they were strong enough to make a choice ; but
their example in this, as in most cases, is good only for
avoidance, not for imitation. Suppose our leader were
to follow it, we should be glad to know how our dis-
sentient friends would answer the objections that would
instantly be raised against him ? Could they reconcile
such conduct with his own preaching, the litera scripta
of which may readily he found in Hansard's Parlia-
mentary Debates, or with his high character as a states-
man and economist ? Would they have him " give
up to party what was meant for mankind?" Such a
step we do not at all look upon in the light of unto-
ward conciliation, but as the dignified proceeding of a
man and of a party resolved to act steadily upon prin-
ciples most conducive to the interest of the country,
whatever loss it may occasion to themselves indivi-
dually. This is just what we desire our leaders would
make the polar star of their conduct—to adhere to
principle, and yield as little as possible to expediency,
whatever amount of temporary inconvenience such
strictness may involve. As to conciliating by conced-
ing against principle to the demands of our adver-
saries, or filling offices voluntarily from their ranks, we
utterly abominate the practice, and would go quite as
far as any of our contemporaries in condemning it.
We trust it is a rock which our leader will be careful
to avoid; but we acquit him of such an intention in
this instance; and add that if, during his administra-
tion, he shall give no other or further occasion for such
an imputation, he will do well.

The Americans begin to wax- insolent. McLeod is
still their prisoner, and the rem onstrances of our mi-
nister are treated with contempt. Their conduct is
disgusting beyond measure; but bow far is forbear-
ance on our part to be extended ? By the intelligence
last received, it appears plainly that hitherto it has
only had the effect of augmenting the insufferable
vanity and presumption of the republicans, and war
with England is become as familiar to their tongues
as if they cared nothing about it. Truly, unless we

mean to give up our innocent countryman as a peace-
offering to the offended dignity of Yankee land, it is
almost time to rescue him out of their clutches. This
is another admired part of Lord Palmerston's foreign
policy, and one knows not which to laud most—his
war-system with the Chinese, or his peace-system with
the Americans. A war with America is most likely
another precious legacy about to be left by the Whigs

to their Conservative successors in office—a war, by I
the way, which would have been easily avoided had L
timely demonstration been made, that our countryman
must neither be unjustly put to death, nor kept in
prison. Wars of all sorts are detestable, and a war
With America would be of all wars the most foolish
and unnatural ; but submitting to such outrageous
conduct as we have endured from the republicans in
the person of NPLeod, is not the way to avoid a war,
but the way to bring it on. Since the Americans are
so anxious for a scrimmage, it would be advisable to
help them to it early; we shall certainly be rather late
with our demonstrations, either when our countryman
is hanged, or the republicans have had time to prepare
themselves. Defend us from Republicanism, and a
State without a Church, say we. America is surely
at this moment a fine specimen of its working ! Great
energy there may be indeed under such a government,
-but it affords no security for national truthfulness,
honour, or fidelity; and, however some may prosper
who live under it, it is by no means so desirable for
other States to come in contact, or so. easy for them to
hold relation, with it.

The Protestant Association of London has origi-
nated a petition to Parliament for inquiry into the
abominable outrages committed in Ireland at the late
elections, and we hop€ to see a similar petition from
Liverpool, and indeed every good conservative town
and place in the kingdom. The popery of Ireland is
a reproach to England—its execrable licentiousness
our standing disgrace. Nothing has been done to
curb, but every thing to pamper and indulge it of
late, and the first moment of trial at once developer
the ruinous consequences of so mistaken a policy.
The people of England must take up this matter, and
not leave it discretionary with any ministry to act upon
a system so cruelly injurious to Ireland, and so dange-
rous and detrimental to the empire. The civilization
of Ireland is not to be effected by falling in with the
views of popish priests ; that method has been fully
tried by the Whigs, and its only result is, to make the
people more brutal and barbarous than ever. We
shall soon have a change of administration, let us be
certain of having a complete change of government
at the same time.

The agitator is making good use of his time, well
knowing that the days of his bad eminence are num-
bered. Certainly he makes no mystery of his trea-
sonable intents ; while the nominal Chief-Governor
dares not say a word, and Lord Morpeth dines in
company with him, nay, condescends to go on visits
specially to meet him. Is it any wonder then that
treason gathers strength, and that the plot which is to
sever Ireland from England thickens ? American
sympathizers have been sending money to aid the in-
surgent cause, and hasten the Irish declaration of in-
dependence7—and O'Connell rejoices that, thanks to
steaming, Ireland is now but a ten days voyage from
New York—a fortunate circumstance indeed, if it could
induce himself and a very large train of his followers
to make the transatlantic trip, and repeal the union
between themselves and the " bright gem of the sea"
for ever—but not at all an unfortunate one as regards
the integrity of our empire. This steaming is a game
that two can play at, and if it be begun, all we shall
say is, that we back Old England against the world.
But we desire to make no boast on this head; a great
deal of mischief might be done before steaming, with
all its wonders, could be made available to arrest its
progress ; what we desire to see is, the sister country
judiciously and wisely, but effectively governed ; for
this is a point in which every British subject has an
interest.

The Whigs are a cunning race ; but the Whigs of
our Town Council seem to possess a perfectly diame-
trical character, and to be afflicted with that unerring
sign of approaching fall which the poet alluded to,
when he wrote—" quos Deus vult perdere prius de-
mentat." Can any of our townsmen have read our
report of the proceedings of the last council meeting,
without being perfectly amazed at the folly which
could prompt the " liberal" and reforming portion of
that body to sneer at the above mention of " economy
in the Town Hall Estabiishment,"—a theme upon
which so many of them have been eloquent in days
gone by. Can we help wondering at the blindness
which cannot see that the day is coming when such
eloquence may again be found serviceable—when, ex-
cluded from civic banquets, and shut out from the
likelihood of riding to conventicle or mass-house in a
mayor's coach, it may become patriotic and convenient
to assert with Mr. Yates the propriety of a civic
functionary " entertaining his private friends out of
his private purse, rather than out of that of the
public," and the benefit to his health to be derived
from walking instead of riding "
Posterity, we fear, will scarcely credit that a party
so liberal, so self-denying, and so virtuous, could for a
moment hesitate to sacrifice the tinsel and state which
belong to office, to purchase a boon so great, as the
enlightened councillor for Toxteth shewed the possi-
bility of attaining, by substituting biscuits and veal-
pies for the Town Hall turtle, and a walking-stick and
strong shoes for the mayor's coach.
We are heartily sorry that Mr. Yates did not, by the
proposal of a substantive resolution on the subject,
place on record the names of those " liberal" and re-
forming-councillors who are so flagitiously- in love with
Town-hall dinners, and so unmindful of their health
as to walk when they may ride in state. We must
confess we have met few Whigs who would do any
thing of this kind when put to the test, however loud
may be their professions of single-minded patriotism
when on the shady side of office. Our wonder is not
therefore that Mr. William Earle and other similar
jokers of his party were disposed to laugh down the
proposition in question—being for the present in the
sun,—but that they are so blind as not to perceive
that their sun is about to shine on another side of the
Council-room. In the mean time, Mr. J. B. Yates is
a perfect paradox to us, and ought, positively, to be
the next mayor, were it only for the novelty of seeing a
Whig pay over his allowance to the Corporate Fund,
give good dinners out of his own pocket, and lay up the
state coach in lavender ! There is no necessity for
"pawning it," as suggested by the cynic philosopher
of the Council-room.

We cannot undertake to folloyi our Liverpool contempoary
the Journal, in his ramblings ; we shall only say that it is no
fault of ours that he has been so discursive, for it has not
been in following, but in wandering away from the theme
with which we supplied him, that he has performed so many
escapades. We shall take up a few of his positions just to
shew what an exceedingly inapprehensive and illogical race
of people these free-trade blowers almost universally are.
The first question he asks is, " What do we mean by na-
tional self-support..".' One would think it was not so diffi-
cult to understand the meaning of these words ; we would
be understood as using them in their obvious sense, and as
we could not hope to make that more plain by any further
description, we leave our contemporary to the use of his
dictionary, and the exercise of his own ingenuity for its
discovery. " Nearly three millions of our population," he
proceeds, " are at present dependent on foreign trade for
their daily bread ; would our independence, as a nation, be
weakened or strengthened by the extension of that trade ?"
Now, let us answer this question which way we will, the
answer is not of the smallest moment to the question of a
foreign trade in foreign corn ; it has not the slightest bear
ing upon, or relation to it. Our objection is of course not
to foreign trade generally, but to foreign trade in an article
with which it is in our power to supply ourselves ; to dis-
placing our own labourers, and depressing our own farmers
for the advantage only of foreigners.
Our contemporary's next elucidation of the subject is as
follows :—" Here lies the gist of the whole question at issue
between us and the Standard. We contend that there were
the English hand-loom weaver permitted to exchange his
own piece of calico, the produce of his own toil, for two
bushels of Polish wheat, he would be a more independent
man than the weaver who, on account of our corn laws, is
forced to give one piece of calico for one bushel of English
wheat."

So this is the gist of the question, in our contemporary's
opinion ; in ours it is not at all the gist of the question,
but exceedingly wide of it. The question is, what would be
the effect of admitting foreign corn at a low duty, or without
any duty, into our, ports; that is the question. Now how
are we aided in the solution of this question, by a proposition
to the effect, that the " English weaver permitted to ex-
change his one piece of calico for two bushels of Polish
wheat, would be more independent than the weaver who is
forced to give one piece of calico for one bushel of English
wheat?" Why this latter proposition might be quite true in
the abstract, and yet we should be no nearer in our ratiocina•
tion to a repeal of the corn laws, by reason of our admittin,
it; but the propounder alleges in addition, that this happ
consummation is hindered only by the corn laws. The pr
vation endured by the weaver takes place, he says,
count of the corn laws." Now if this were true, the co,
laws would be indeed a severe infliction on the poor weaver,
and a great hindrance to his prospects of independence ; but

" on ac

is only an assumption—a mere assertion of an anti-corn

LW advocate, and something which approximate:; :a little

.earer to the " gist of the question" than the broad propo-

ition with which he has connected it ; that's all. The
:nglish hand-loom weaver, observe, who is to have " two
ushels of Polish wheat, where he now gets only one
!'.nglish," can obtain them only on the terms of " exchange ;"
Int suppose the corn laws repealed, with whom is he to
take the exchange ? Oh, the Polish serfs who grow this
heap corn will make the exchange with him ! The foreign

wheat grower desires nothing so much as to encourage our
manufactures; they are only longing to be permitted to land
their corn in our ports, in order—not to drain off our
specie ;—oh, no ; but to have the extreme felicity of trans-
ferring their custom from their own native manufacturers to
those of England, of Bolton, Manchester, Stockport, and all
the other great manufacturing towns! Credal Judcens,
Apqla ; non nos. There is much more excursiveness equally
conclusive and satisfactory in our contemporary's remarks,
but we cannot occupy space with its examination. We offer
this one excerpt as a sample of the heap, and our readers may
judge of it for themselves. For our part, we by no means in-
tend to insinuate or to affirm that our contemporary's
rubbish is worse than the rubbish of other people who belong
to the same school ; but we would just beg our readers to
remark upon what wretched and unstable grounds the'whole
party proceed, and how exactly the heat, and zeal, and noise
with which they usually pursue their objects, seem to be
proportioned to the want of clearness in their understandings,
and of all precision in their reasoning.
Our contemporary, after drawing a most mistaken inference

from some former remark of ours, and perverting our mean-
ing, asks if the " self-supporting principle has not failed,
because, during the last four years, we have annually im-
ported more than 2,000,000 quarters of foreign wheat?
Although," he says, " our farmers, encouraged by monopoly
prices, have raised as much grain as they possibly could ;
and although our corn merchants have imported large sup-
plies from abroad ; yet, in spite of all this, several millions
of the population have been half starved on account of the
dearness of food and the consequent scarcity of employment.
Since such, then, are the results of that agricultural protec-
tion which he defends so strenuously, we cannot understand
why he should speak of it as a self-supporting' system."
Begging our contemporary's pardon, the self-supporting
pr'neiple is not in the least affected by the main fact to which
~e alludes, namely, the importation of foreign corn in con-

sequence of unfavourable harvests at home. Does he quarrel
with the circumstance that the protection of the farmer is
Self-support is the rule, but

lot carried higher than it i

unfavourable seasons cause a very just exception to, and
deviation from, it ; this is the farmer's loss, our loss, and
every body's loss ; but the misfortune is rendered as light as
possible by the operation of that sliding scale which lets in
the foreigner's corn when we stand in need of it. This is
no failure at all of our principle ; nay, it is a confirmation of
its excellence ; because, if it were not for the rule—the law
which gives the native farmer protection—the self-support
thus established as the ordinary regulation, we should very
likely look to foreigners in vain in bad seasons, or at least
find it much less easy to meet our difficulties than we are able

to do under existing circumstances

Our contemporary next resumes his favourite topic of Italy
7id the Italians, and endeavours to prove, if we rightly un-
lerstand him, that the great complaint of that country is not
opery, but an excessive attention to the cultivation of its
•oductions, and the absence of power-looms and cotton fac-
Now, we should only smile at such a paradox if it
were sported by any other than an advocate or a member of
the anti-corn law junto ; but of such parties, this and other
such absurdities constitutes an important portion of their
stock in trade ; it is actually a discharge of their most heavy
artillery, and they expect it to do great damage. Our Jour-
nalist argues that because, in a dark age, the Lombard cities
obtained for themselves a comparative amount of indepen-
dence, and carried on an extensive trade, that therefore Po-
pery has nothing to do with their present degradation, and
that of all Italy. Ile should have carried his inquiry a little
further, and have asked whether the advancement was effected
in harmony and correspondence with the genius of Popery,

or in spite of, and in opposition to it ? But no ; an anti-corn
law advocate cannot be expected to be over perspicacious on
this point. It is the agriculturist, and not the Pope, of whom
he is in dread ; he thinks nothing of submitting to the " su-
preme jurisdiction of the Pope," as he delicately calls it ;
but the plough and oxen of the farmer, and the simple appa-
ratus of their protection, arc a perpetual raw-head and bloody-
bones to his imagination. Oh lamb-like Pope ! Oh most sa-
vage and truculent farmer !

But there is an inspiration in the cotton-mill which, we
)wn, we have never imbibed, and as there is said to be a
pleasure in madness which none but madmen know," we

must leave our contemporary to speak under its power.
Without the high artificial heat of the mill, the smell of the
oil, the rattle of the looms, and the fuz, no man could pro-
perly mount the tripod, and declaim against the balmy air—
the vine-clad hills- -the cloudless skies—and (oh tell it not
in Gath !) the" rude out-door 'cultivation of sunny Italy.
These are the appliances to give wings to the poetry of cot-
ton. Let the agriculturist then beware, for the fire kindles,

and the bard, " rapt, inspired," will convert your agricultu-
ral paradise into a wilderness—Popery into an angel of light
and love—and the close factory, with all its infant slaves, and
the densely inhabited manufaCturing town, with all its vice
and filth, into an earthly heaven. Happy are they whom the
gods have made poetical : for our part, we are so little liable
to these tricks of the imagination, that in a mill we see only
a mill, as in a sheep a sheep, or in any other matter-of-fact
object its like.

ST. BARNABAS' CHURCH.---On Sunday week a collection
was made in this church on behalf of the institution for the
relief of widows and orphans of deceased clergymen within
the archdeaconry of Chester. Although no previous an-
nouncement had been made, the appeal of the Rev. Mr.
Nolan produced the sum of £9 ls. Bd.
LANCASHIRE LITERARY SOCIETY.—A. select body of
the active promoters of provincial literature have recently
originated a most commendable plan of establishing a Lite-
rary Society for the county of Lancaster, the purposes of which
are to unite the wealthy and the talented, the able and the
humble, for the due encouragement of the arts and sciences.
A number of leading gentlemen in Manchester have con-
ceived the design of forming a fund for the support of the
unfortunate authors and skilful artisans, whose works are
not only to be beneficial by the mutual support of their li-
terary bretheren, but their pecuniary condition is to be im-
proved by the patronage of the affluent,

- .
MESSRS. DAINTRY, R YLE, AND CO.'S BANKRUPTCY.—
We understand that the total number of proofs of debt under
this fiat is 589. The amount of the debts proved against
the Macclesfield Bank is £116,902 19s. 2d. ; against the
Manchester Bank, £48,571 6s. 11d. ; and the private debts
proved amount to £331 18s. 3d. ; making a grand total of
£165,806 4s. 41d. ; besides which, the assignees of Messrs.
Whitmore and Wels, on whom the bank drew in London,
claim to prove for £218,508 ss. 3d.—lllanchester Guardian.

RAILWAY COMMUNICATION WITH SCOTLAND.—A meet-
ing of gentlemen, having property along the projected line of
railway from Lancaster to Scotland, was held at Liverpool,
during the agricultural show week, to consider the desirable-
ness and practicability of continuing the line of railway com-
munication from Lancashire to Glasgow. Mr. Charles
Lawrence attended the meeting, by invitation, as chairman
of the Liverpool and Manchester Line, Mr. J. Moss (who
presided) as chairman of the Grand Junction, Mr. Theodore
Rathbone, as chairman of the North Union, and Mr. Bur-
rows, as chairman of the Lancaster and Preston. The sub-
ject was very fully discussed'and a resolution was agreed to,
stating the desirableness of the project, but nothing was ar-
ranged as to the mode of carrying it into execution, except
that offers of land were made on very liberal terms.
CHARGE OP SMUGGLING.—At the Police-court, on
Friday, Wm. Saville, a fine looking man, mate of the Pat-
rick Henry, New York packet-ship, was charged by a
custom-house officer with having on board that vessel, con-
cealed amongst her cargo, a bag and two barrels, containing
8,000 nr 9,000 cigars, which he purposed to smuggle, and
which were in illegal packages. The officer stated that the
prisoner had offered him a reward if he would allow him to
pass without lodging an information. On cross-examination,
however, he admitted that the prisoner told him in the
morning that he had them on board, and had shown him
where they were, and that he did not inform his superior
officer until eight o'clock the same evening. The inference
was that he had himself been guilty of a gross dereliction
of duty, and was probably the greater aggressor in the first
instance. The prisoner was consequently discharged.—The
tobacco had been previously seized by the informant, and
lodged in the Custom-house, before information was given
to the proper authorities.
" POINT D'ARGENT, POINT DE SUISSES."—The day of
sale is fast approaching when the Swiss cottages are to un-
dergo the uncertain ordeal of public competition. If we
were to indulge in the belief that the picture has been some-
what highly coloured (which by the way Mr. George Robins
repudiates), still it is certain that all those who have the
means and desire to domesticate amid the splendid scenery
with which these gems are encompassed must necessarily be
anxious to possess one of these incomparable retreats—the
larger one seems almost built in the skies, amid scenery very
aptly assimmilated to the most favoured in Switzerland, and
looks down upon the peaceful village of Linton, embracing
at one view the wide ocean and the cataracts and waterfalls
which everywhere present themselves. To appreciate these
beauties, the spectator should be " alone with nature," and
hear

"The roar
Of rushing cataracts, sounds that sink and roar,
Freshen and faint in turn, and still renewed,
Wake the wild chords of nature's solitude."
There is, besides, to be sold on the same day, in the con-
tiguous valley called, " Waters Meet," a Swiss cottage,
one of the prettiest things in Europe. This cottage is en-
vironed by beautiful pleasure grounds, the river struggling
over the rocky beds—the rush of many waters falling in
mingled chorus upon the ear, but so faint, and with so little
of the audible character of "headling floods"—that the

sound has a tranquillising, rather than a startling effect.
The sale of these little bijoux comes off at Exeter on the 34th
instant, and will afford an opportunity of rare occurrence,
to possess all the delights of Switzerland, without encounter-
ing the fatigue of visiting it. It has been very truly said by
Mr. Robins, that North Devonshire has lacked the advan-
tage which ancient and modern authors might, with great
truth, have vouchsafed to this enchanting spot.

WANTON OUTRAGE.—Joseph Kitchen was, on Saturday,
placed before Mr. Rushton, charged by Mr. Robert Worrev,
of Myrtle-street, with having assaulted Mr. Worrey, his
wife, and his sister-in-law. It appeared that Mr. Worrey
and his wife had been out visiting, and that they were re-
turninkhome, at a late hour on Friday night, along Bedford-
street. They were accosted by the prisoner, who presently
began to abuse Mr. Worrey. The latter called for a police-
man, upon which the prisoner put himself in a fighting atti-
tude. Mrs. Worrey, who was far advanced in pregnancy,
stepped before her husband, upon which the prisoner knocked
her down, and she was very severely injured. The prisoner.
assaulted both Mr. Worrey and hissister-in-law. Ultimately
a police-officer came up, and •Kitchen was sent to bridewell.
The prisoner did not deny the assault. He said he met the
the complainant and the two ladies in Bedford-street. The
young lady laughed, and he thouebt it was at him ; upon
which he turned, and going up to Mr. Worrev, said, " You
have got two—you can surely spare me one," upon which
Mr, Worrey told him to go about his business. Mr. Rush-
ton said the prisoner had committed a very scandalous as-
sault. He was ordered to pay two pounds ten shillings and
costs, or to be imprisoned twenty-one days.
WEST INDIA MAIL STATION.—The first and second re-
ports of the select committee on West India mails have just
been published. By the first, it appears that they have re-
solved, that notwithstanding the port of Dartmouth has been
recommended by the Admiralty committee for the arrival and
departure of the West India mail-packets, they are not pre-
pared to recommend the selection of that port. They state
their opinion that no disadvantage is likely to arise to the
public from the continued use of Falmouth, whether by the
present packets, or the larger class that are to be employed,
until the merits of the other ports shall have been ascertained.
Hence, considering it doubtful whether the public would de-
rive any material advantage by the removal of the West India
mail-packets from Falmouth, they consider it would not be
proper to incur the expense of providing accommodation for
the establishment necessary for the performance of the service
in any other port.—ln the second report the committee sub-
mit to the house a statement furnished by the Admiralty of
the actual distance a steam-vessel would have to traverse
from each of the principal ports to Barbadoes, and back from
Samana (in Hayti). The distance to Barbadoes from the
Lizard is stated to be 3425 miles; from Falmouth, 3440; from
Plymouth, 3475 ; from Dartmouth. 3497 ; from Portsmouth
or Southampton, 3590; from Bristol, 3570; from Milford,
3490 ; from Liverpool, 3637 ; and from Bantry Bay, 3637.
The distance from Samana to the Lizard is 3545 miles ; to
Lundy Island, 3592: to Milford, 3600; to Cape Clear, 3402;
and to Bantry Bay, 3120.
THE POST-OFFICE.—We have had much occasion to com-
plain of the inefficiency of the management of various
departments of the public business under whig auspices ;
but we believe in no other department so Much as in
the post-office. Since the establishment of the new sys-
tem especially, complaint has grown upon complaint—irre-
gularity upon irregularity—as if it were deliberately proposed
to convince the public that things which are cheap are at
the same time, in most cases, worthless. The penny system
having failed to produce revenue, recourse appears
aeteoehhavaes
been had to retrenchment, which, as in all whig ti
begun at the wrong end ; and the various boons
prwhich,that
system was to convey are counteracted by the inefficiency of
means to carry them into execution. Amongst others, the
benefit of which are impaired in this way, we are compelled
to notice the transmitting of small sums of money by means
of post-office orders. Since this system was established, or
rather cheapened, it has become almost impossible to forward
money as an enclosure without the most imminent risk of its
being stolen or lost presume the terms are synonymous—
and the increase of business in the money-order office is such
as almost to preclude parties with whom time is of inapor-
tance,.resorting to that facility. We observe that in Lon-
don orders arc granted and paid at the district receiving-
offices ; and yet in Liverpool, although contributing so large
a share of the postoffice revenue, and, from the nature of its
population, using so frequently the money-order office, no
such facility can be afforded. Parties must endure the crush,
and sacrifice much valuable time at the central establishment,
or trust to the insecure method of enclosure, with no remedy
in case of loss. We can really see no reason, except the
paltry saving of a few hundred pounds, which would have to
be allowed to the branch postoffices, why the same extension
of-the facility of having orders paid and granted at these
offices, should not be conceded to the people of Liverpool as
is enjoyed by those of the metropolis ; and we would suggest
that an application from the town council for Such a boon
would not, we think, be refused.
SERIOUS CASE OF STABBING.—At the Police-court, yes-
terday, a drunken-looking young man, named John Ball,
was placed at the bar on a charge of stabbing, in several
places, a young man of the name of Thomas Kelly.—Jarnes
Melling said, that on Saturday night the prisoner came to
the bottom of the court in Bannister-street where he (wit-
ness) lived, annoying those who lived there. He went to
drive him away, when he (prisoner) took out a knife and
stabbed him in the arm.—Thomas Kelly, who was still more
severely wounded, and who had adhesive plaster on his nose
and lip, said, that when he went up the prisoner rushed
upon and stabbed him in the lip and nose, afterwards in the
right hand (which was bandaged up), and then severely on
the left hip. The prisoner finally, before assistance came to
him, made an attempt to cut his (complainant's) throat, on
which, as well as on his cheek, there were large scratches,
that on the throat extending from below the ear to the chin.
A man came up to his assistance.—A man named Murphy
found a clasp knife the following morning on the spot where
the attack was made, and it was produced in court.—The
house-surgeon of the Northern Dispensary said he was called
upon, on Sunday morning, at a quarter-past one o'clock, to
attend on the complainant, whom he found wounded with
apparently a sharp instrument. There was an incised wound
on the nose, and another on the upper lip, the latter pene-
trating to the teeth. He found another incised wound in
the inside of the hand, another in the haunch, and two
scratches—one on the cheek and another on the throat—
which might have been made by the same sharp instrument.
None of the wounds were, in his opinion, dangerous to life.
—The prisoner said he was first struck himself and abused
by several men, and that the knife produced was not his.—
He was committed for trial at the assizes.
THE STEAM-SHIP ADMIRAL.—In these days of steam
triumph, we have frequently had to record the achievements
of mechanic art, as applied to steam-ships of leviathan di-
mensions, as well as of the consummate skill displayed in
their performance and management, and we remember few
that have possessed greater claims to public attention than tl
e m
Comoro_
splendid steamer Admiral, now runningt between Liverpool'e
and Glasgow, the same line on which h
Achilles, Co
dore, Actaeon, City of Glasgow, and.. Princess Royal, all
splendid steamers, are employed. The Admiral is a vessel
well worthy of her name and lineage, and, whether the size
and beauty of the ship, her excellent acc.ommodation the s, or
ect the
be ob of
great power and perfection of her machinery j
admiration, it must be admitted, that, in
each of these de-
partments she has never been surpassed. The engines sup-
plied to this vessel are of unusual power and beauty of con-
struction, fitted up with expansion gear, and possessing all
the latest improvements : they were produced at the Glasgow
Vulcan Foundery, and are of 200 horse-power each. It is
matter of great interest to witness the cleanliness and order
always observed in the engine-room, and the great care and at-.
tention of the engineers, who are particularly worthy of notice
for skill and sobriety : neither is the grand desideratum to a
landsman (roomy accommodation) forgotten. There are 107
• sleeping-berths, all of the most ample dimensions, a limited
number of which are divided off into state apartments. The
grand saloon, around which these state apartments are
ranged, is a magnificent room, and unites extreme comfort
with ornament •, on either side of it tables are ranged with
elegant seats of richly-carved oak, uniform with the chaste
panelling and richly-groined roof. The entire fittings of the
vessel are of the most costly description, and the cuisine is
excellent and cheap. The range of the Admiral's deck is
220 feet ; it is perfectly flush, and forms a beautiful and un-
broken promenade. The Admiral is a vessel of the same
class and under control of the same business-management at
Liverpool as the Halifax line of steamers, and the same sys-
tem of speed, punctuality, and good order which has ob-
tained an exalted reputation for the Atlantic steamers pre-
vails here, and has met with equal success.—Morning
Herald. .

EARLY CROPS.—Mr. Hancock, of Heswile, commenced
cutting his crops on Monday, and we hear that the result of
the harvest will realise his hopes.
STEALING A HAM.—At the Police-court yesterday, John
Derrick and Terence Rogers were committed for trial at
sessions, for stealing a ham from a cook-shop and lodging-
house in Waterloo-road, which they afterwards sold for
ss. 6d. to Richard Pierce, a provision dealer in Marybone.
The case had been remanded from Saturday.
CONSUMPTION.—The fearful ravages consumption makes
in the social circles of life is deplorable, and we believe that
the cases of diseases of the heart are at present very nume-
rous. Those who are afflicted should apply to Mr. Cronin, or
peruse his work cn the subject.
CLARENDON HOTEL.—This very commodious and con
veniently-situated hotel has been re-opened, by Mr. Feavior.
We do not know of an establishment we can recommend
with more confidence than the Clarendon, where private
families, either resident, pro ternfiore, or en route, can be
accommodated. 'At the Clarendon hotel will be found the
luxuries of an hotel and the comforts of home united.
GREAT EIGHT-OARED CUTTER MATCH BETWEEN THE
GENTLEMEN OF CAMBRIDGE AND THE LEANDER CLUB.—
This interesting match came off on Saturday last, and
created intense interest amongst the admirers of aquatic
sports upon the banks of the Thames. The distance to be
rowed was the same as upon the occasion of the match be-
tween the gentlemen of Cambridge and Oxford—viz., from
Westminster Bridge to Putney ; and as the rowing of the
Cambridge gentlemen was greatly admired upon that occa-
sion, a severe contest was anticipated between them and the
Leander. The start took place at six o'clock, the Cambridge
taking the middle of the river, and having slightly the lead,
whilst the Leander kept along shore on the Surrey side,
thus avoiding the action of th tide, which was 'slightly on
the turn. It was evident, however, from the commencement
that the latter were superior in rapidity of stroke to their
opponents, as well as in acquaintance with the currents of
the river on which the match was rowed ; and the result
shewed that they were not inferior in lasting powers. After
the first few boat lengths they took the lead, which they ra-
pidly increased ; and at the termination- at Putney came in
winners by a distance of 300 to 400 yards. The weather
was exceedingly favourable for spectators, and the river
was, consequently, crowded with steamers and craft of every
description, although not so numerously as upon the occasion
of the match between Oxford and Cambridge.
THE GERMAN OPERA COMPANY.—The German com-
pany, from the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane, under the direc-
tion of Herr Schumann, and who, since their departure from
London, have been performing in Liverpool and Manchester,
took their departure in the Rotterdam steamer,on Sunday
morning, at seven o'clock, from the Tower-stairs. The
whole company, including the director, Herr Stautligl,
Thichatscheck, and Madame Heinefetter, have returned to
Germany. The speculation has been most unfortunate; in
the town of Manchester particularly, or M. Schumann has
been minus to the amount of £9OO, added to which, some
proceeding of a legal nature took place in Manchester, which'
had the effect of preventing the company from appearing for
several nights while in that town.
POCKET PlCKlNG.—Yesterday, at the Police-court, John
Edwards was charged with picking the pocket of Mr. C.
Lumen, agent, Duke's-dock. On Saturday night, while the
complainant was standing in Roe-street with a friend, a
stranger tapped him on the shoulder, and, pointing to the
prisoner—" This person is picking your pocket." He looked
round and found the prisoner close to him, and the friend he
was standing with knocked him down. Complainant caught
one corner of his pocket-handkerchief before it had been
clearly taken away. He anti his friend gave the prisoner in
charge to a constable. He was committed for trial.—A laid
named John Rowland, was also committed for picking the
pocket of a female named Roberts, about two hours before,
while she was looking at the procession of Odd Fellows.

THE IRON WAR STEAMER PIILEGETHON.—We perceive
by the Calcutta papers brought by the India mail, that this
vessel, which was built by Mr. John Laird, of North Birken-
head, for the East baba Company, has arrived at that port.
She is about 500 tons measurement, armed with two thirty-
two pounders, and other small arms, and is exactly the same
size and model as the former war steamer, the Nemesis. She
was to sail for China about the middle of June, to join the
expedition. It was reported in the Bombay papers, that two
iron armed steamers, the Ariadne and Medusa, both built
by Mr. Laird, carrying each two twenty-six pounders, would
be ordered to China ; they would make an effective flotilla
of four powerful iron armed steamers attached to the expe-
dition, and, from the services rendered by the Nemesis, are
likely to prove a great acquisition. The following extract of
a letter, dated Calcutta, June 5, gives an account of the
Phlegethon :—" I am too full of business to write at length
just now ; but you will be delighted to hear we arrived at this
place on the 22d of last month, as sound in hull, boilers, and
engines as when we left England. We have had some severe
trials, and a large share of stormy, bad weather. The Phlege-
thou, in bad weather, has surpassed my most sanguine expec-
tations, and having gone over 17,157 miles without straining
a rivet, will, I consider, quite carry out the principle, that
these sort of vessels can navigate, in security, between Eng-
land and India."

STABBING WITH A BOAT-HOOK.—At the police-court,
yesterday, a man in respectable attire, named William Scott,
was charged with having wounded George Simons, a young
seaman, in the left shoulder-blade, while he was, with another,
in the act of saving the life of a man who had fallen over-
board from a ship into one of the docks. It appeared that on
Sunday night, when the man fell into the water, complainant
and another man got a rope and exerted themselves to get
him out. The mate of the vessel hearing the noise, and
ascertaining the cause, procured a boat-hook with a view
also to assist, when the prisoner came up, and wresting it
from him, and uttering some threatening' language, •made a
blow with the spike end of it at the complainant, wounding
him in the back. The man was afterwards got out of the
water. A surgeon stated that the wound was two inches
long and half an inch deep. The prisoner said that while he
was passing a corner he was grossly insulted, repeatedly
struck in the face, and challenged to fight, by two men, one
of whom he believed to be the complainant himself. Mr.
Rushton said that admitting he had been insulted, he had
acted most improperly in strtking the complainant with so
dangerous a weapon, and more particularly when he was in
the act of saving the life of a fellow-creature. He required
him to pay a fine of £5, or in default, to be imprisoned for
two months.

NORTH UNION RAILWAY MELTING.-011 Thursday last
the half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the above
railway was held in one of the large rooms in the carriage
building department at the Railway Station, in Preston, it,
having been arranged that the meetings are to be held alter-
nately in that town and in Liverpool. Mr. Theodore Rath-
bone, Presiding Director, was called to the chaij. The chair-
man directed attention to the item of £1,263 set apart to
meet the calculated amount of depreciation which would be
incurred in the company's stock before the next half-yearly
meeting. The report was read by the secretary. It set
forth, that the receipts bore a favourable comparison with
those of the corresponding period last year, and a progressive
improvement was anticipated from several sources of traffic
which are opening. A considerable increase has taken place
in the items of expenditure, many charges having come into
full operation. The nett proceeds to the end of the year were
£37,258 165., out of which the directors proposed to d ec
a dividend of £2 10s. each on the 6,329 shares, to be payable
on the 16th August next by warrants. The amount of the
dividends would be £15,822 10s., leaving a balance of
£1,436 6s. to be carried to profit and loss accounts forth
half year, besides the reserved fund of £4,894 to meet depre-
ciation of stock. The proprietors had renewed the contract
for the supply of locomotive power tolthe Preston and Wyre
Company, on terms which would prove eventually advantage-
ous, but that with the Lancaster and Preston Company it
was not thought expedient to renew except on different
terms. An opinion was expressed, that the reserved fund
was unnecessary,. The chairman, Mr. Hardman Earle, and
Mr. Richard Earle were of opinion, that it was essential to
make all needful repairs, and also to have a fund set apart to
meet the depreciation of stock. Mr. Garnett agreed in the
propriety of having a reserved fund, but he thought some
limit should be established. He moved, that the reserved
fund should not exceed £5,000. He could not see the pro-
priety of allowing a surplus of £6,330 for so small a com-
pany, when the Liverpool and Manchester Company, whose
transactions were four times as great, had not more than
£2,500 or £2,600 for a like purpose. The chairman said,
the plan proposed was already adopted by the Liverpool and
Manchester Company. only that they tolerated what he con-
sidered a loose system, of permitting Mr. Booth to chuck
them in a new engine or two which were not made chargeable
to the reserved fund. Mr. Garnett said, Mr. Booth did nut
order new engines without being first authorised by the di-
rectors. Mr. Hardman Earle said, the £6,000 was already
required for the four new engines which had been ordered.
Only four hands were held up for Mr. Garnett a motion. On
the motion of Mr. Addison, the report was adopted. Mr.
Joseph Hornby, Mr. Richard Earle, and Mr. W. Taylor,
the three retiring directors, were unanimously reappointed,
when, after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting
separated.
- - -

MEETING OF THE FISH COMPANY.—On Thursday the
annual meeting of the Liverpool Fish Company was held at
the Clarendon-rooms, South John-street. Mr. Thomas
Tobin, Chairman of the Directors, presided. Mr. Wilson,
the manager, read the report, which gave an account of the
income and expenditure for the current year; from which it
appeared, that, owing to the great scarcity of fish, the com-
pany had lost, during the year, £974 4s. 11d. Besides this.
one of the company's boats, the John Dory, had been lost off
the Isle of Man. The chairman, in answer to a question,
stated that, although the company Mid lost £9OO this year,
they had made a profit last year of £l,lOO. All the fish com-
vanies in the country bad lost money this year. Complaints
were made that the boats of the company were continually
being laid up, at a great expense. A Shareholder inquired
whether the Directors kept a profit and loss account on each
boat, and on being answered in the negative, he contended
that it was a great defect in the management, and one of the
principal causes of their embarrassment. Mr. Ritson said,
at least £lO,OOO had been thrown away in boats. After a
somewhat warm discussion on the affhirs of the company,
the directors' report was adopted. A shareholder said, that
during the five years the company bad been in existence,
they had lost £14,000, little short of £3,000 a year. If they
went on at this rate, the capital of the company would soon
be absorbed, and there would be nothing left to divide. He
wished to cast no reflection on the directors, but he thought
it high time that the concern should be wound up, and the
balance handed over to the shareholders. He concluded by
moving a resolution to that effect. The Chairman said, that
thr Directors had no wish to carry on the company an hour
longer than it was agreeable to the shareholders. But, when
they spoke of the depreciation of the stock, it ought to be
remembered, that during the first half-year of their existence
the boats were depreciated fifty per cent. Mr. Hyarn, as a
member of the committee, was of opinion that the rock on
which the company had split was having two many boats,
double the necessary number. The boats had never been
efficiently manned, and the wonder was, that with such a
system they had contrived to do so well. The hall cost
£4,500: it was now valued at £2,500. The same deprecia-
tion had taken place in the boats. There was no actual de-
preciation in the value, it was owing to contingencies. If
the present company fell to the ground, another and more
formidable one would rise on its ashes. He addressed this
to persons who had a sinister view in breaking up the com-
pany. His advice was to reduce the boats from twenty to
ten, to reduce the expenditure, man the boats better, make a
selection of the men, ensure a sufficient supply of fish at all
seasons, and the concern would not fail to !prosper. The
Chairman said, that they never bad more boats than were
necessary. They never got more fish than they could sell.
The difficulty was in getting fishermen. It was stated, that the
present meeting could not legally resolve upon the dissolution
of the oompany, which could only be done by a special meet-
ing. The resolution was framed to meet the exigencies of
the case, and in a few days a special meeting will be called to
dissolve the company.
The Brighton terminus of the London and Brighton
Railway is now finished, and it is said to be one of the most
magnificent structures of the kind in the kingdom.
THE MURDER AT EXETER.—Doubts are expressed of
the honesty of Brinsmead's confession in this case. It is
considered next to impossible that Pitts, who is by no means
a powerful man, could have accomplished the horrid deed
without assistance, and least of all in the my described. A
reward of £lOO has been offered by government for the dis-
covery of the murderers. To this reward a further sum of
£5O will be added by the family of the deceased.

A CLEVER ROGUE.—A sailor, last week, who was in want
of money, his stock being reduced to sixpence, went to a
pawn-office in Berry-street, pledged his sixpence for three-
pence, and got . it truly described in the duplicate ticket, a
.. a piece of silver plate, of beautiful workmanship." lie
then took his ticket to
,a public-house, and sold it very
roadily to a pedlar for 2.5. 6d., pocketing 2s. 3d. by his
ingenuity.—Belfad Vindicator.

GRAND PROCESSION OF THE INDEPENDENT
ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.

Yesterday, the annual procession of the numerous benefit
societies of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the
Manchester Unity in the Liverpool district, took place, and
whether as regards respectability or numbers, was the most
imposing we have ever yet witnessed.
It may be stated in the outset that the order is more po-
pular and numerous than any other in the kingdom, there
being in all no fewer than 200,000 members—and the libe-
rality with which they dispense their funds to those requiring
pecuniary assistance may be estimated from the fact, that
their donations during the last year, according to the official
return, amounted to £170,000. Amongst the members there
are 85 members of parliament, including the representatives
of this borough, Sir J. Walmsley, T. 0. Cooper, Esq., and
several other gentlemen of the common council.
In the LiVerpool District there are 152 Lodges, including
17 which may be called extra-parochial—namely, 3 in Dublin,
1 in Belfast, 9in Cheshire, 2 at Bootle, 1 at Crosby, and 1
at Walton. The number of members in all; up to Wednes-
day last, as ascertained by the corresponding secretaries, is
10.760. _ _

The whole of the lodges, with the exception of a few of
those who reside at a distance, walked yesterday with their
splendid regalia and emblematic flags—numbering in all
about 5,5000 individuals.
The lodges, in concentrated bodies, according to the num-
ber of members belonging to them, met at 8 o'clock at nine
of the principal and more commodious lodge-houses in the
town, and the whole afterwards defiled at 10 o'clock, in three
divisions, to the Haymarket, Queen's-square, and William-
son-square. They soon afterwards walked in general
procession through most of the principal streets in the town,
commencing at the top of Shaw's-brow, rounding Nelson's
Monument, and embracing Castle-street on the west, Mill-
street on the south, the King's Monument, London-road,
on the east, Scotland-roud, as far as Great Homer-street, on
the north, and thence back to the Old Infirmary Yard, the
lodges then returning to their respective lodge-houses in the
order in which they started. At the head of each lodge
were the Warden, with gilded battle-axe, supported by two
Tylers with drawn swords. The Dispensation followed, and
the members in the following order :
N. G., scarlet Sash and Apron; two Supporters, blue Sashes
and Aprons.
V. G„ pink Sash and Apron; two Supporters, blue Sashes
and Aprons.

Secretary, plaid Sash and Apron, and Scroll ; two Supporters,
blue Sashes and Aprons.

P. G. of the Lodge, purple Sash and Apron, supported by

. . .
P. G's:inSctirlet Sashes and Aprons
Members of the Lodge four abreast.

The District Regalia were arranged as follows :
Past and Present District Officers, and Committee of P. G.'s,
in Purple Sashes and Aprons, with the bright Regalia.
The remainder of the Regalia was carried by P. G.'s, in
Scarlet Sashes and Aprons.

The whole of the members were remarkably well, and we
may add, genteelly dressed, and the town might well be
proud of so fine looking a body of men. The primitive
members wore blue sashes and aprons, trimmed with white
or silver; the principal and past officers, scarlet sashes,
and aprons trimmed with yellow or gold; the secretaries,
plaid sashes, &c. ; and the past officers of the order, (of
lodges and districts), purple trimmed with gold. Many of
the aprons were richly trimmed with silver or gold, and or-
namented with emblematic embroidery in bullion, and pre-
cious stones, and had a very gorgeous effect. There were
many military bands, each band heading a certain number of
societies, and playing favourite airs and marches as they

proceeded. - -
The regalia, particularly those belonging to the district,
were of silver, with gilt crosses, &c., and many of the jewels
were of real stone. These regalia alone cost, we learn, £2OO,
and glittered brightly in the sun. They consisted of sceptres
(similar to the royal sceptre used at the coronation of the
British monarch), maces, globes, crosses, croziers, the cross-
pens (carried by the secretaries), and the cross-keys (carried
by the treasurers). There was also a splendid crown and
cushion, and a variety of other appropriate insignia.
The flags and banners were beautiful. The largest and
most striking were carried by the following lodges :—The
Lord Stanley, the Peace, the True Blue, the Perseverance,
the Marquis of Granby, the Philanthropic, the Beneficent,
the Earl of Durham, the Mersey, the Hope, the Eagle, the
Good Intent, the Evening Star, and many others. The
Union Temperance bore a fine flag, with the inscription from
Jeremiah, " Leave thy fatherless hildren to me, and I will
preserve thee alone" ;—the Duchess of Lancaster, a fine
portrait of the Queen, with the royal standard on the ob-
verse ;—the Stanley, the Good Samaritan pouring oil in the
wound of the prostrate man, the arms of the order on the
other side;—the Covenant, a fine scriptural piece ;—the
Stranger's Friend, a fine representation of an almshouse ;
the Free Tradesmen's, a fine allegorical picture of Britannia
inviting commerce to the port of Liverpool, admirably con-
ceived and executed, with the arms of the order on the ob-
verse. This, we learn, was designed by Mr. Shadwell, cor-
responding secretary ;—the Apollo, a fine figure of the god
of music, " with laurel crowned" ;—the Beneficent, a group
of emblematic Eastern figures;—the Geo. IV., a fine pic-
ture ;—and the Philanthropic, Alfred dividing the loaf with
the pilgrims, and the arms of the order. There was also,
belonging to Lodge No. 763, a very fine Royal Standard of
great size. Besides these, there were numerous national

.gs, and a splendid variety of handsome district banners.
The procession, though four deep, appealed, from what we
could ascertain, to occupy a length of street of little, if at all,
short of two miles. It took about an hour to pass any given
point. There were a number of the members well mounted,
who acted as marshals, and three open carriages, (one of
them with four horses and two postilions,) together with
about 30 members on horseback brought up the rear. The
greatest order and decorum were preserved throughout,
whither, indeed, as regards numbers, respectability, and dis-
play, or the benevolent objects of these societies, the whole
was highly creditable to all who were concerned, and will
leave a most favourable impression on the public mind of
TILE INDEPENDENT ORDER OE ODD FELLOWS.

We should add that the streets were crowded thoughout
the day by young and old, gentle and simple, to see the pro-
cession; the bells of St. Peter's Church rang merry peals,
and the whole town bore the gay appearance of a general
holiday.
After their long walk, the several societies retired to
their respective lodge-rooms, and passed the remainder of
the day in festive enjoyment. One hundred and sixteen of

.. ~
the lodges then sat down to excellent and substantial dinners.
In the evening a ball took place at the Templar's Hall, got
up by a number of the members, by way of giving variety to
the enjoyments of the day. It was well and respectably at-
tended; and a good quadrille band " put life and mettle into
the heels" of the dancers.

EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT ON THE RIVER,
A VESSEL'S CREW SAVED BY A BOAT FROM
H. M. SHIP ETNA.

On Saturday morning last, about four o'clock, two sloops I
at anchor in the Sloyne, between Birkenhead and the Royal-
Rock Ferry, came in contact, through the force of the eddy'
caused by the tide, which is frequently so strong at that an-
chorage that vessels caught by it break sheer, in which case
their helms are of no avail. The bowsprit of the larger
sloop, (the name of which we have not ascertained), got
athwart the mast of the smaller vessel, " the Ann," and
from the relative position of both, and the pressure of the
tide against the side of each, " the Ann " was thrown nearly
on her beam ends. The bowsprit gave way, and the small
vessel righted a little, but the same spar was again driven
against her mast. and becoming fouled by the tackle, operated
like a lever, and forced her down, so that she capsized, filled,
and sunk almost instantaneously.
The accident was fortunately observed by Mr. Tiddy, of
H.M. ship Etna, who was then the officer in charge of the
watch ; and a boat was promptly lowered and sent to the
assistance of the crew, who would otherwise have perished.
The boat got alongside just in time to rescue them from a
watery grave. They consisted of four persons, three of
whom were in their shirts, having evidently been roused out
of bed by the accident. The moment they were picked up
the vessel went down in five or six fathoms, nothing of her
being now visible but her mast-head above the surface of
low water.
The men were conveyed on board the Etna, where they
were supplied with clothing by the officers and crew, had
their breakfast and some money given to them, and were af-
terwards landed. The elder of the four thus rescued, stated
he was captain of the sloop; and said, that though he had,
in her loss, lost all of which he was possessed, he was very
grateful that his life had been saved. The others were
equally thankful for their preservation. The captain and one
of the men could not swim. We are glad to learn from
Captain Willson, R.N., of the Etna, who has politely fa-
voured us with the heads of this paragraph, that the vessel
may be raised by means of two flats, and chains passed un-
der her bow and stern, at low water; so that the worst fears
of the old man may happily not be realized. She belongs to
Pontaferry, and had on board a cargo of coals, and 155
salted hides, shipped for Campbelltown, in Scotland.
The whole occurrence did not occupy above five minutes,
and great praise is therefore due to Mr. Tiddy, second
master, and to Mr. Oliphant, the gunner of the Etna, (who
was also very active,) for their promptitude in rescuing the
poor fellows from their perilous and all but fatal position.