The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-12-27 00:00:00

with a hydroguretted sulpltret, it forms a black
sulphuret." All this is quite explicable upon che-
mical principles ; but how, we ask, can a metal decom-
pose a hydrosulphuret ? Es pure hydrogen evolved ? We
never heard of such a case. A metallic oxide may act
upon a hydrosulphuret, because, in that case, water is
formed from the union of the oxygen and hydrogen. It
is most probable that the sulphur which tarnishes silver
is produced by a very complex operation, which we will
endeavour to explain.
Sulphuretted hydrogen, long exposed to an atmosphere
containing oxygen gas, would be decomposed, and form,
first, sulphurous, and, secondly, sulphuric acid; but the
change antecedent to these is very remarkable. To un
derstand this, suppose we have two atoms of sulphuret-
ted hydrogen gas ; when one of these atoms is decom-
posed, so as to form an atom of vapour and an atom of
sulphurous acid gas, there immediately results an action
between the atom of sulphurous acid, and the remain-
ing atom of sulphutetted hydrogen gas; another atom
of vapour is formed, and two atoms of sulphur• are pre-
cipitated—probably in the state of hydrate—this is the
sulphur which combines with the silver.
We must not understand Mr. H. to mean, that " ni-
trate of silver" is employed as a dye, because " it is em-
ployed in dyeing various substances black." His exem-
plification, however, sufficiently restricts his meaning;
and when he speaks of its use as a "caustic, for the pur-
pose of arresting the progress of local inflammation," we
beg to say, that it performs, in that instance, more of the
otlices•of a caustic; it forms an eschar over the inflamed
part, (as in erysipelas) and, when " adherent," stops the
progress of inflammation. To Mr. Higginbottom the
medical world is indebted for this valuable medico-chi-
rurgical remedy—a gentleman whom we know—a man
of patient research and great practical experience.
The application of nitrate of silver to blacken the hair,
and the ludicrous circumstance mentioned by Mr. H.,
brought to our recollection a picture that might well pair
with it. When we were eating our terms at Lincoln's
Inn, a gentleman, one of our quatuor, whose locks na-
ture wished to be silvery, but not with nitrate of silver,
had, it appears, just undergone the metallic dressing.
An unfortunate ray of the sun, as if to be revenged for
this usurpation of colouring dominion, darted fiercely
among his coronal pile ; it blushed like logwood, and
with the transparency of amber. Some stared, as if he
was about to suffer spontaneous combustion ; others ex-
pected to see him instantly turn black, and die ; a few
laughed right out ; but he—for " the eye sees not itself
but by reflection from some other thing"—unconsciously
ate his dinner, and drank his wine, and walked out of the
hall, quite unconscious of how much fear and fun he had
been the source—an Adonis in his own imagination. We
beg, therefore, to advertise gray headed children, that the
hair does not turn black at once, especially if not just
previously washed with soap and water.

Mr. Donally, of the Liverpool police, has been appointed
superintendent of the police at Bootle.
We understand, that Mr. James Walker, the celebrated
engineer, is now in Liverpool, at the instance of the Corpora-
tion, to survey and report upon the plan proposed by Captain
Denham, of running a wall from Garston to the Potteiies.
THE New CUSTOM-HOUSE.—The Northern portico of this
splendid building has just been completed, and will have a veiv
fine effect when viewed from South Castle-street, as soon as
the alterations in progress are completed. The dome will be
proceeded with immediately. We understand that the edifice
will be completely finished and opened for public business
about the month of May next.
MR. E. BROWN'S CONCERT.—We beg to remind our friends
that this concert will take place To-morrow evening. The
eminent talents placed in requisition for the occasion, and the
variety of the entertainments announced, will, we have no
doubt, ensure a good attendance.—See advertisement
THE SHIPPING GAZETTE.—We request the attention of the
commercial interests of Liverpool to the advertisement of the
Shipping Gazette in another column. This excellent paper we
are glad to consider as now firmly established ; and we wish it
that extended support which it deserves from the great ability
displayed in its management,
MR. HARWOOD'S BALL.—Mr. Harwood's sixth ball will
take place at his rooms in Great Nelson-street, on Tuesday
next. From the excellent arrangements that have hitherto
been made at these soirees dansantes, we may anticipate that
his guests will have a pleasant evening.
THE CABINET OF MODERN ART AND LITERARY SOUVENIR.
—We have been delighted with this exquisite collection of
gems. The style and execution of the work is admirable
throughout. The literary articles rank it far above most of its
competitors, while the plates are of the most perfect and elabo-
rate Character. 'We shall endeavour hereafter to enumerate
more in detail a few of the beauties of this elegant volume.
CAUTION.—A number of farmers and other persons from the
country were, on Saturday, fined in penalties varying from
2s. 6d. to 15s. and costs, for leaving carts in the.street without
some person being with them; for riding on their carts without
reins; for negligent driving, and other similar offences. The
costs, we may remark, in cases where the informations are laid
against persons residing out of the town, are nearly double in
amount to those within the borough.
SUSPECTED ROBBERY.—At the Police-office, on Friday,
Francis Hughes, Jane Walker, and Rose Baxendale, were
brought up on suspfcion of having been concerned in some
robbery which is supposed to have taken place lately, in or
about the neighbourhood of Whitechapel. It appears that, a
day or two ago, the prisoners went into the shop of Mr. M'-
Clellan, draper, in Prince's-street, and offered in payment for
goods which they purchased, a ER) Bank of England note.—
They bad subsequently offered a gold watch for pledge at the
shop of a pawnbroker, who, suspecting that it had been stolen,
had caused them to be taken into custody. The note and watch
are now lying at the Police-office, until a claimant can be dis-
covered. The prisoners are remanded until more positive evi-
dence of their guilt can be brought forward.

LIVER THEATRE.—This elegant little theatre opened for the
season last evening. The performances commenced with the
national anthem, sung by Mrs. Raymond and Mrs. Dale, and
the rest of the corps dramatique. The first piece introduced
Mr. Dale to the notice of a Liverpool audience, in the charac-
ter of Will Watterley, in a piece called "Fatal Revenge." Mrs.
Raymond, Mr. W. J. Hammond, and Mr. Melville were se-
verally warmly welcomed on their appearance. The house was
very well attended, the pit being full, and the gallery crowded
to overflowing. We understand that some attractive novelties
are shortly to be produced, and that the campaign is to be car-
ried on with unusual vigour.
AFFLICTING SUICIDE.—On Tuesday morning last, a man
named Henry Juries, formerly gardener for many years in the
garden in Faulkner-square, and who was dismissed by the new
Town Council, was found suspended in his daughter's bed-room
by his neckerchief, and was quite dead. An inquest was held
on the body on Wednesday afternoon before P. F. Curry, Esq.,
when it appeared from the evidence of Jane Jones, his wife,
that the deceased had been dismissed from his employment at
the gardens in May last, and had ever since exhibited signs of
insanity. On Monday night he came home at rather a late
hour, was very much in liquor, and had some words with his
wife, after which he went up stairs, and locked himself up in his
daughter's bed-room. His wife and daughter went to bed toge-
ther, not thinking that anything would happen to the deceased.
In the morning, however, as they could not open the door, they
became alarmed. The door was at length burst open, and the
deceased was found quite dead, with one end of his neckerchief
tied round his neck, and the other end tied to a nail in the wall.
The jury returned a verdict, that the deceased had strangled
himself whilst in a state of mental derangement.
THE MAGISTRACY OF LANCASHIRE.—By a parliamentary
return " of all persons appointed to act as justices of the peace
in each and every county in England and Wales," which has
just been printed, we find that the number of magistrates ap-
pointed to act as justices in and for the county palatine of Lan-
caster is 519, of whom, however, nearly 190 noblemen and
gentlemen are included in the commission, from courtesy or in
consequence of their having some connexion with the duchy or
palatinate, or from some branches of the families of whom they
are respectively the heads, holding possessions in the county.
It may not be generally known that the three royal dukes (their
highnesses of Cumberland, Sussex, and Cambridge) are in the
commission of the peace for this county; so are the archbishops
of Canterbury and York, the bishops of London and Chester,
Viscoumt Melbourne, "treasurer of his Majesty's Exchequer;"
Marquis Lansdowne, president of the council; and Lord Dun-
cannon, keeper of the privy seal. Besides the dignitaries men-
tioned, there are in the commission no fewer than 13 dukes, 10
marquises, 9 viscounts, 31 earls, 36 barons, (including the law
lords) 56 right hon. baronets, knights, and gentlemen, including
many members of the privy council, several of the judges, king's
counsel, &c., 9 knights (judges,) 9 baronets, and 6 knights. in-
cluding the late attorneys-general for the county palatine. knights;
are also in the commission, Francis Ludlow Holt, Esq., the
vice-chancellof of the county palatine; William Russell, Esq.,
the attorney-general of the duchy ; and David Francis Atcherlev,
Esq., serjeant-at-law, and attorney-general and serjeant of Age
county palatine of Lancaster 'The remainder of the list con-
sists for the most part of gentlemen resident in the county, and '
of 45 clergymen of this and the neighbouring counties.

GRAND MASONIC PROCESSION AT WARRINGTON.—The cere-
mony of laying the key-stone of the new bridge erected over
the river Mersey, at Warrington, took place on Thursday, and
was accompanied with a most splendid display About ten
o'clock a vast concourse of people had assembled in the Market-
place, where it was fixed the procession should he formed. Soon
after that period the different parties met, and the procession,
as soon as the necessary arrangements were complete, proceed-
ed. On the arrival of the party at the bridge, they took the
stations allotted to them, and J. Drinkwater, Esq., D.P.G.M.,
on taking his station near the key-stone, was presented with a
silver trowel and cement. A glass box was then produced, con-
taining the current coins of the realm, the lid of which was
cemented on and deposited in a cavity of the stone. A brass
plate was placed over it, bearing the following inscription,
"Thil key-stone of the centre arch of this bridge was laid by
Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie, Esq., P.G.M.W.D.C.L., Dec.
26, 1836." The Rev. Joseph Wright, minister of St. James's,
Latchford, then offered up a prayer to the great Architect of
the universe, that he would enable them to finish the work
which had been undertaken for the advantage of the town of
Warrington. Three officers then poUred some corn, and oil,
and wine on the stone; alter which the reverend gentleman
again prayed to the same all-bounteous Being for the future
prosperity of the town of Warrington, and that he would he
pleased to grant its inhabitants abunlance of corn, oil. and wine
to the latest posterity. An appropriate speech was then deli-
vered by brother Bullough, after which three cheers were given,
and. Mr. Stubbs's band, which was in attendance, struck up
" God save the King." The procession returned in the same
order-as it arrived to the parish church, where an excellent ser-
mon was preached by the Rev. T. V. Boyne. The different
Fncletles then separated, and in the course of the afternoon
dined at their VaTiOlth Dieetings;