The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-10-07 00:00:00

THE MAYOR'S DINNER.

,
PERILOUS ENCOUNTER WITH AN ICEBERG NEAti
THE BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND.

. •
On the 30th of June last, the ship Byrom left. Liverpool for
New York, heavily laden with iron. salt, &c., and having on
board, in passengers and crew, 119 or 120 souls. On the morn,
in' of the 2d of August, 34 days out, in lat. 41 22; lon, 48 50. a
scene occured Which can never be effaced from memory. It Was
the watch of the first mate, a man of great fidelity, but, being
indisposed, his place was taken by another. An unusual degree
of levity and thoughtless security among the passengers had just
given place to sleep. And now all was still, save the tread of
the watch on deck, or the Occasional toll of the bell to warn fish-
ing craft, if near, of our approach; but we had more need to be
warned ourselves than to give wal fling to others of approaching
danger. About two o'clock a.m., a hurried step awoke the wri-
ter of this sketch, and the rapid whispering of some, created the
suspicion that all was not right. Springing from his berth, he
asked one of the men near the cabin door what wile the matter ?
" We are in the midst of ice," said he; " Will yoU inform the
captain and mate ?" The captain was instantly on deck; he ran
forward to look out. In a moment the vessel, going at the rate
of five knots, struck as if against a solid rock. It was an island of
ice ! It lifted its head above the water more than a hundred feet,
and leaned over, as if ready to fall down upon us. The word
was given to put up helm and back the sails. As the sailors were
hastening to obey the latter miler, us the terrified passengers
were rushing on deck, and looking up at the immense over-
hanging, -frozen mass, the ship snuck again with increased
force. 0 what a shock ! Crash ! 'Crash ! it seemed as if the
masts were failing one after a another on the deck. The second
mate entered the cabin, and, clapping violently his hands to-
gether, exclaimed, " MY GOD! our bows are stove in, we're
all gone." An awful death appeared now inevitable. In this.
moment of general panic, the commanding officer gave orders
to 'clear away the boat. Then, while the knife was being applied
to the cordage fastened alongside the ship, a rush was made to
her by men and women. The small boat was iu a moment filled
with 30 or 40 persons. It seems utterly marvellous that she
did not break down, precipitating every soul into the deep.
Had this taken place, our commanding officer roust have
shared the same fate, fur, from a desire to gain possession of her
for himself and crew, or to save the miserable crowd that had
got into her from destruction, it may bz: from both motives, ke
entered the boat and stood in it until he &Cie out every one Lt
the point of the sword. Then was a scene of terror ! In front
of the cabin the passengers were collected, half-naked, some
mu their knees calling for mercy, sinus clapping their. hands
and tittering the most appalling shrieks. Nothing distinctly
could be heard. All was confusion and horror. It was enough
to penetrate a heart of stone. Some more collected, were
dressing themselves, preparing to resist the cokli if perchance
they should survive on the wreck. Others were looking for
something to which they could lash themselves for support fur
a time in the water. Here, you might see one with a safety.;
belt, slung over his shirt, endeavouring to fill it with air; there,
another, pale and agitated, inquiring, " Is there any hope?"
And there, one standing in silent despair, saying, "Its no use
to do anything, we must die." " Are we sinking, uncle?"
cries a dear buy. A child, running fo a brave sailor, says,
" Won't you save me?" And the loud wailing and lamenta-
tion from the crowd rose higher and higher. Then, as if to
close the painful scene, the ship struck again on her quarter.
The shock reverberated like thunder, making every joint of
the vessel shake as if coming apart. Hope now fully fled, all
hearts were dismayed; the despairing cry was renewed, and the
most calm embraced themselves in preparation of immediate
death. Even the dogs cowered down on the decks in silence.
And now was the contest between despair and hope. The
carpenter reported that the hull was sunlit!, and that the how
sprit could be repaired; but then, she may have sprung a leak,
and the foremast was in danger of falling! The word was,
"To the pump!" The pump was rigged and wrought. It was
a moment of painful suspense, until the pump sucked, showing
that all was tight. Then hope gilded the countenance of our
captain, and all hearts began to live in its radiance. Still we
waited to hear the crash of the foremast as the vessel was rolling
in the sea, but it stood firm. Daylight, ever delightful to those
on the deep, and peculiarly grateful to us, soon appeared. 'We
found ourselves going on our way, alive, and with every reason-
able confidence of future life.
We stood amazed at our deliverance. The most careless
among us were constrained to attribute our preservation to a
kind and merciful Providence, while the multitude cried out
unhesitatingly, " It is the Lord who bath saved us; thanks and
praises to his holy name." Then every countenance was light-
ed up with joy—every heart was full of gratitude to God and
love to one another, and many purposes were formed of refor-
mation in future. The next day we saw three mountains of
ice. We passed near to one of them. We gazed with the
deepest interest on the fellow of that welch had so greatly en-
dangered our lives. Before the close of the second day a new
bowsprit was fitted up, which stood the trials of Winds and waves
the remainder of the voyage. In all this business the officer,
and crew showed great skill Lnd energy:

EXCHANGE WARD.—We hare great pleasure in announcing
that a requisition, numerously and respectably signed by the elec-
tors of Exchange Ward, has been presented to Thomas Sands,
Esq., requesting that gentleman to allow himself to be put in
nomination as a candidate at the next municipal election, for
the representation of that district of :he town in the common
council. Mr. Sands has consented to offer himself, and front
his character as a merchant, and his active habits and ad,
mitted intelligence, there Can b'e little doubt of his triumphant
return.

WOOLPIELIVS BAZAAR.—We have been induced by the an-
nouncement of Mr. Woulfield of the various and costly orna-
ments recently purchased by him, and added to bia already
FpJendid stock, to visit his bazaar. We think it due to Mr:
Woolfield to state (hat be has always expressed the greatest
pleasure at receiving visitors, and the utmost readiness in show-
ing to all, who may call at his baiaar, his splendidly stocked
suite of rooms. We do this, as we believe it is generally uti.
derstood that all who mar call at the baZaar are expected to
purchase something, whirls consideration has deterred many
visitors from surveying the many really Magnificent article 4
with which his bazaar abounds, and some of which it is a loss td
the public that they should nut be seen. We are told that, on
the contrary, the proprietors are always delighted to see parties,
and glad at all times to show the rooms withdut any considera-,
Lion of purchasing whatever: Amongst the bronzes in the lower
room, a Florentine bronze, representing a group of Napoleon's
marshals at the Pont D'Arcole, is one of the finest specimens
of art we ever witnessed. The centre figure is an officer defend-
ing a standard, and followed closely by another officer with
bayonet fixed, whilst to the left of the group is a marshal shot
dead by a bullet in the forehead, and in the act of falling. The
delineation of the countenance and the bullet wound is most
exquisitely finished. The perfection of the finish of the broken
swords and pieces of artillery, Sc, strewed around gives a supe-
riority of appearance to the bronze which we have never seen
equalled. 'We believe it is the third copy only extant, and is rained-
at £lOO Close to this is another splendid bronze of the well-
known painting of Napoleon creasing the Alps, of very large
size, and most beautifully finished. This bronze also is of great
value, we believe more than the preceding. "The Giaour":
and " the Manly horse" near this are splendid specimens of
bronze casting and finish. At another part of the room there
are also some very beautiful bronze clocks—one, a figure of
bronze in Europe. The figure, anatomical;
y, _9 exquisitely per-
" Time" seated on the ruin of empires, is said to be the finest
fect. Amongst the stock of jewels is a magnificent opal and
diamond suite of great value, ne of the stories of which, to
complete the suite,.cost the maker 2,000 francs. The opal is a
stone which has been highly prized in all ages, and when large
is of great value. The history of the Roman senator who pre-
ferred death rather than give up his opal ring to the Emperor
Nero is familiar to every one. The opal ranks higher amongst
the eastern nations than in Europe. This precious gem is no-
thing more than the cartilage of the hinge of a large shell. A
h nut. set.
We
need The g baldly
t tre
pearl and diamond suite is also deserving of notice, and is ex-
ceedinglypearl is
full a s
state that both
these suites ore great value. A number ofprecious stones
finished, but not as vet set, are also, from their great size, of°
llarge
costly
as andn a
n elegantlys
considerable value. There are some turquoises as large as a
sixpen ldce
Thes. . Therevalu aree
also sonic exceedingly large and perfect
emera of these may be estimated from the fact
that this gem, however small, is so rarely seen perfect, thet an
emerald without a flaw has passed into a proverb. Amongst
the almost innumerable little fancy articles we naticed some
very elegant claret jugs of cut (,lass set in silVer, richlany °ma, mented, which are very beautiful 'hie candelabras d class: deliers are splendid ;.we particularly noticed one of the latter;
n
of blue china and gold, t
large size, which is most elegant, and
of a perfectly novel design, some of the dressing-cases, of tor-
toiseshell, inlaid with mother of pearl, and fitted op with superb'
silver requisites, are also very beautiful and costly; but it is in
vain to attempt to particularize and describe, so'numerons are
the elegant and splendid works of art, which in every direction
are profuse: they must be seen to be appreciated. On going up stairs, the same scene of profuse magnificence meets the eye.
[fere the stock partakes more of a light and ornamental cha-
racter, such as vases, work-boxes, screens, embroidery, china,
ad ilfinition. In the upper room, still higher, are a number of
flue bronzes, candelabras, chandeliers, &c., and some very
spendid chess tables inlaid with marble, and marble slabs, inlaid
throughout with every description of marble stone. They also
are exceedingly beautiful. Some grapier machil tea trays are'.
also exceedingly handsomely finished. It is, however, vain to
attempt a description. We would advise our readers to go and
judge for themselves; they cannot but be highly gratified; and
it will afford pleasure to the proprietors to show them the roomy
whether they may choose or not to purchase.
CORRODURATION OF MARIA MONK,—We have received this
morning from a friend some interesting particulars concerning
the examination in New York, by a competent committee, of a
'tog woman who recently escaped from the Hotel Dieu Nun-

uery in Montreal, which ive are
told not only serves to corro-
borate the disclosures of Maria Monk, but exhibits a muck
worse state of things in that establishment than bad been before
made public. We are further assured that the testimony of this
witness will remove all reasonable doubt of the truth of the dis=,
closures heretofore made, and that it will be laid before the pub-
lic without any unreasonable delay. The witness (Frances
Patrick) is a native of, Vermont, and is now 26 years of age,
having been 23 %ears an ininat, of the wmen'. Sue came to
New York under the protection of a respectable gentleman of
Home, in that state. The publication of the examiners will be
anxiously looked for.—American paper.

agliejort t
. Pre-
t" ag
Th.,
. _
A NEW PRINCIPLE OF AEROSTATION.—At a recent meet'.e x. 1
Nry e owf
ISdcei a": coeist att
e r ii3aalt i sk
a vi i
aulhot of this paper professes therein to have ditieoVered :
means of giving any required direction to a billion
sine
ng t ef of
l , I hentitled, A
cad
ni by means
similar to those used in steam navigation • 11,1 the
, , i balloon •
self he proposes to make of copper,
which is t on It-
o receive its as:.
cendiug power by drawing out the air and to •
To effect the vacuum, his proposal is to f 'Ming a vacuum.
water, arm then draw it off gradualiv I I'll the machine with
without admitting the air. fieie, ii;. -'Y means of a long tube,
very intelligent manner—that the ' says—reasoning not in a
will have no influence up,,, li pressure of the atmosphere
the metal of which it is c„n Le balloon, however thin may ht
for giving motion to and „, . ;!'""'i• The apparatus (steam}
in the car, and to tutu round,'!‘,liig the machine, is to be placed
of a steam boat. Actoo sans, which resemble the paddles
author, but with the vet. .
station with this machine. (says the
would proceed at a rate). cautious pro b'—fir it should succeed}
more rapid than the flight of a carrier
pigeon, and would surpasy tell that Nita aver been heard of. Ft
It is to be regretted, however, that the paper was anonymous,
in consequence of vvbithe it f
was no. examined into thy the'
Academy.

A grand dinner was given nu Wednesday nig in 6oi2our of
the festiviil, tiy his worship th Mityor, in the town-hall. About
35 gentlemen sit town to dMner. Among these were Lord
Skelniersdale, Lord Sanduo, the lion. R. B. Wilbrahnrn,
M.P., the lion. A. Baring, . the lion. Col. B. ,MolyneuX, Sir
John 'l' übin, Sir Thomas Brancker, the Boroughreeye of Van-
chester, Col. liornby,. Capt. Hurnbv, Mr. W. Pielden, ALP.
Mr. Thomas l'horne.tv; M.P.,. Mt. M. POilips, M.P., NI!. A:
Potter, M.P., Mr. Brotherton, M.P., William :Blb,ndeii,
Esq., of Crosby, Rev. Jonathan Brooks, Rev. W. liesketh,
C. Lawrence, E-sq., Thomas Case, Esq., Joseph Langton, Esq.,
James Crosbie, Esq., A. Hodgson, Esq.. and Richard
Esq., the town-clerk. The dititer was provided by Air. Horne,
of the Mersey Hotel, in first rate,style, and consisted of every
delicacy Of the season, and did inticii credit to him as a restaura-
teur.