The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-03-01 00:00:00

THE SHIP MARCO POLO.

The name of Marco Polo is justly celebrated as the
Venetian traveller and historian, who, from his knowledge
of the different dialects of Tartary, was employed in
embassies which gave him the opportunity of traversing
Tartary, China, and other Eastern countries, whence he
returned in 1295. A short time after, serving his country
at sea against the Genoese, his galley, in a great naval
engagement, was sunk, and himself taken prisoner, and
carried to Genoa, where he composed the history of his
voyages. which appeared at Venice in• 1496. The ship
Marco Polo is hardly less celebrated for her extraordinary
rapid voyage under her able commander, Captain J. N.
Forbes, from Liverpool to the Australian colonies and
back to the Mersey, in the short space of five months and
twenty-two days, a speed owing, not only to favourable
weather but to her excellent qualities as a seafaring vessel
and the skill of her commander. She is now about
to leave Liverpool once more on a voyage for which
she has acquired such well-earned fame ; and the merits
of Captain Forbes being appreciated by those most
capable of judging, a meeting of shipowners and
others was held on Thursday, in Messrs. Cunard and
Co's office, the Hon. Joseph Cunard in the e.air,—
The following resolution, moved by Samuel Gould, Esq.,
and seconded by James Alexander, Esq., was agreed to :
" This meeting considering the recent voyage of the ship
Marco Polo, hence to Australia and back, as unprecedented
in the annals of sailing, is desirous of publicly expressing
admiration thereof ; and while it accords to the builders
their full measure of praise for the model and construction
of the ship, consider it mainly owing to the untiring exer-
tions and able management of Captain Forbes that the
success of the voyage is to be attributed."—lt was moved
by William Fisher, ELI., seconded by John Hamilton,
Eq., and resolved unanimously :—" That Capt. Forbes
be presented with an epergne, or other piece of plate,
with a suitable inscription, to the value of the amount
subscribed, in testimony of their admiration of his skill as
a British seaman." The following gentlemen were then
appointed a committee to carry the resolutions into effect:
Hon. Joseph Cunard, chairman ' • Samuel Gould, Esq.,
William Fisher, Esq., and Joseph Mondel, Esq.
Yesterday (Monday) a handsome dejeuner was given on
board the vessel, lying in the Salthouse Dock ; and a very
numerous party, including the Worshipful the Mayor of
Liverpool (Samuel Holrne, Esq.), sat down to an elegant
repast, at which Mr. Mackay, one of the owners of the
vessel, presided.
At the conclusion of the repast, the CHAIRMAN pro-
posed the usual loyal toasts of " The Queen," " Prir.ce
Albert and the rest of the Royal Family." and " The
Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese." The latter toast was
responded to by
The Rev. BROTHERS, who said the name of the
ship, and that of her gallant captain, would long be a
watchword to men of enterprise and genius.
The toast of " The Army and Navy" was responded to
by Captain FAUL/INER.
Captain SCHOMBERG, R.N., the Government Emigra-
tion Officer, also returned thanks. He said they were
on board the flying Marco Polo, the pride of the
Liverpool fleet, which, well and liberally fitted up,
was designed to carry a large body of men and women
to our furthestcolonies with the utmost safety and com-
fort. As the emigration officer of the port, he had much
pleasure in being associated with an undertaking so
' liberally conducted as that of the Marco Polo. He
described in facetious terms the difficulties which emi-
grants have to encounter, and trusted that they might all
be surmounted.
Mr. CUNARD then performed the pleasing duty of pre-
senting to Captain Forbes, on behalf of the merchants of
Liverpool, the magnificent epergne which had been sub-
scribed for, and which reflected great credit on Mr. Mayer,
by whom it was supplied. Mr. Cunard pronounced the
highest eulogium on the skill and enterprise of Captain
Forbes, who had performed the voyage to Australia and
back in a manner unprecedented in the annals of the
mercantile marine. He had been associated with Mr.
Gould and Mr. Fisher in arranging for the testimonial
before him, which he had much pleasure in presenting to
Captain Forbes, and also in proposing his health, a toast
which was received with loud and long-continued cheering.
Captain FORBES, in returning thanks, said he hardly
knew how to express himself. He came to Liverpool in
1839 without a shilling. They all knew his present position,
and he might say, though he was not a Liverpool man he had
Liverpool ways with him. He thanked them most cor-
dially for the handsome manner in which they had acknow-
ledged his exertions, and he felt confident that he should
be able, on his next voyage, not only to do it well, but
that the Antelope must keep up her fires if she expected
to beat him.

The CHAIRMAN said they must not forget, while think-
ing of the vast empire upon which the sun never sets,
that they were in the important port of Liverpool, and she
had the good fortune to be presided over by a gentleman
who was one of their guests that day, and he had much
pleasure in proposing " Prosperity to Liverpool, and the
health of the worthy mayor (loud cheers).
The MAYOR (S. Holmes, Esq.) returned thanks, and
descanted in terms of warm approval on the excellent,
and liberal manner in which the Marco Polo was fitted up
for the comfort of so many pasengers, who, he hoped,
would carry the laws of the civilisation of Englsnd to
the most distant parts. He trusted they would all
join him in fervently wishing, according to the pious clause
in the bills of lading, that God may send the good ship
to her desired port in safety. His worship then proposed
the health of the owners of the Marco Polo, and success
to their spirited exertions.
The toast was received with loud cheers, and responded
to by Mr. MACKAY, the chairman,
Mr. W. FISHER paid a high eulogy to the merits of
Captain Forbes, who, in returning thanks, said that as
long as the owners had a coat to button he was there to
button it.

Mr. BAINES then proposed " Prosperity to the Town
and Trade of Liverpool,"—a toast which was warmly
received and responded to by Mr. MOZLEY, who en-
larged on the importance of the judicious expenditure of
capital, and the benefit which had accrued to Liverpool
through the union of wealth, skill, and prudence. He
trusted such a beneficial combination would long continue.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the Emigration Officers in
Liverpool. Captain Schomberg was, comparatively, a
stranger, but he had always found him a true British
sailor to the back bone. As for Mr. Prior, lie bad
grown grey in the respect of every man.
Clpt. SCHOMBERU and Lieut. PRIOR returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN then alluded to the services of Mr.
Macdonald, the first mate of the Marco Polo ; and, in the
name of the owners, presented him with a handsome gold
chronometer, with a suitable inscription.
Mr. BAINES said that, on the return of the Marco Polo
after another voyage, Lieut. Macdonald should have the
command. They would find some suitable employ for
Captain Forbes, in a ship to be built in Liverpool,
Captain SMITH remarked, that as the chairman had
promised a ship to be built in Liverpool to beat the colo-
nial tub, he would only say, as the builder of the Marco
Polo, that if the owners got a Liverpool builder to beat
her, he would engage to keep pace with her. Their ship
hail beat all the world, and they meant to keep their pre-
eminence; and if any gentleman had the spirit he would
risk the value of the ship, to sail ship for ship. Some ran
down colonial-built vessels, but he had then in his pocket
orders for six two-thousand ton ships, a proof that they
were appreciated in some quarters.
The next toast was the Australian trade, with the names
of Boyd, Edwards and Co.

Mr. BOYD said the only fear was their over-doing a
trade in which they should act with caution.
The MAYOR, after a complimentary eulogy on the ser-
vices of British Seamen, proposed the junior officers of
the Marco Polo, trusting that, like good seamen, they
would perform their duty, and take the good ship out and
home again.

The lI.AIRMAN, in a complimentary speech, proposed
" The Press," which he denominated the only Free Press
in Europe.

Mr. GOULD then proposed " Prosperity to the Black-
ball Line of Australian Packets," which was responded
to by Mr. Baines. He said if the best endeavours of a
determination to succeed had any effect, they were bound
to go a-head. He proposed "The Masters and Mates of
the Mercantile Marine," which was acknowledged by
Captain Mills, of the Indian Queen.
The MAYOR, in a humorous speech, which excited roars
of laughter, proposed " The Ladies."
Among the toasts was that of Mr. J. T. Towson, the
author of the system of greatcircle sailing, who, in re-
turning thanks, highly complimented Captain Forbes
for the genius he had displayed in finding so short a
passage to and from Australia. In the course of the
evening Mr. Baines, on the part of the owners, pre-
sented Captain Forbes with a magnificent silver tea
service, consisting of coffee-pot, tea-pot, sugar-basin,
cream-ewer, and salver. all richly chased, and the latter
with an appropriate inscription.

LIVERPOOL FEMALE ORPHAN ASYL UM
ANNUAL MEETING. ,

The Annual Meeting of the members of the Liverplol
Female Orphan Asylum took place yesterday, at the Insti-
tution house. Myrtle-street.
William M'Cracken, Esq., the President of the Institu-
tion, took the chair.

Amongst those present, we notice Mr. Hubback, Mr.
John Aiken, Mr. H. T. Browne, the Rev. H. H. Higgins.
and several ladies.

The proceedings having been opened with prayer, which
was offered by the Rev. Mr. Higgins, Mr. Harmood
Banner, the treasurer, read the report : which was to the
effect that 160 was still the number of the inmates ; that
two deaths had occurred during the year; that the average
cost per head was £l7 13s. 2d.' or Is. less than in 1851 ;
and concluded with the hope that, as the price of pro-
visions in the present year would probably increase the
outlay, they hoped the friends of the institution would in-
crease their contributions, and that new subscribers
would be obtained. Ninety girls had to this time been
apprenticed ; and it was a pleasing duty to state that
those who were in service were doing well.
The Rev. 1T IL liwonvs, in moving the adoption of
the report, alluded, amongst other things, to the
healthy condition of the inmates, which .was e 7 i
danced by the: exceeding small amount which had been-
paid for medicines during in
y
the,year. It was gratif • g to
know that the conduct of the.wrnats generallyt as
those who had left.the i
ilstitutioni was of the Most well as
&eine'
plart description, 0.9 010 inlltanceS of an
,•opposite nature

had been somewhat prominently brought before the
public ; but he must remark that whilst, perhaps, undue
publicity was given to isolated cases of insubordination on
the pert of some particular inmate, the satisfactory man-
ner in which.the inmates as a body conducted themselves,
although well known to the managers of the institution,
was not within the knowledge of the inhabitants generally.
(Hear, hear.) He wished to name this on the present
occasion, not only in justice to the inmates themselves,
but also because it might probably be the last occasion on
which he should have the opportunity of speaking of the
institution as one connected with it. [We understand
that Mr. Higgins is leaving Liverpool.l After referring at
some length to the great value of the institution, the rev.
gentleman concluded by moving the adoption of the
report.

Mr. AIKEN seconded the motion, which was carried
unanimously.

Mr. BRANCH next moved, and Miss LONG seconded, a
vote of thanks to the clergy for their attendance upon the
inmates.

This motion was also carried unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. HUBBACIC, seconded by Miss
AIKEN. thanks were voted to the committee.

Similar compliments were also paid to the other officers,
after which the proceedings terminated.

SECOND EDITION.

Standard-office, Two o'clock, p.m.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

AUSTRIA.—A telegraphic despatch in the Cologne
Gazelle, dated Vienna, FA. 26, i the evening, states
that Count Leiningen had arrived at Trieste from Con-
stantinople, ani that the Porte had complied with all the
demands made by Austria.

The Emperor is going on well.
The troops on the march to Crotia, had received ccun -
ter orders.

PARIS, Monday.—Three per Cents. opened 791 ; c'ose 1
80.20. Four-and-a-halves closed 105.90.

SWITZERLAND.—BERNE, Feb. 25.—Two reports of the
Federal Commissioners, communicated to the Co nci ,
prove that the Government of Ticeno preserved the tiC -
est neutrality during the recent events.
ST. PETEassuaGx. Feb. 26.—Total importation of
bullion in that city, since the close of the navigation, had
amounted to £868,000.
PLYMOUTH, MARCH I.—THE AUSTRALIAN STEAMER
—The cause of the Australian's leak has been discovered,
and will be remedied on. Tuesday, so as to enable her to
sail on Wednesday. Twenty-eight of her mail• bags were
saturated with water, several thousand letters and news-
papers being soaked. Many of the addresses are illegible,
and the covers fallen off. The London Post-office autho-
rities have made every effort to dry them, and all that
can be made out will be sent by the Overland Mail on the
4th instant.

CALEDONIANRAILWAY.—Trafficreturns,XB 90765.0 id.
Corresponding week last year, £7,648 2s. 101 d.

♦
LEEDS STOCK EXCHANGE.-THIS DAY.

NOON QUOTATIONS

Caledonians, 32k ; East Lancashire, 181 ; Leeds
Northern, 16k ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 781; Man-
chester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 301; Midland, 771 ;
North Western, 83.16 ; South Eastern and Dover,
241 ; Australian Freehold, 11; Carson's Creek, 4s.

LONDON STOCK AND SHARE MARKET.
THIS DAY, ONE O'CLOCK.
Consols for Account, O9i ; ditto Money, 991 ; Ex-
chequer Bills, L.. 17 18; ditto S., 17; Three-and-a-quarter
per Cents., 1031 1.

MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE.—Tins DAY.
NOO'N QUOTATIONS.

Caledonians, 32i; Eastern Counties, 1311 ; Lancashire
and Yorkshire, 78k; London and North Western, 120;
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 301—ditto. New
Pref., 9-16 pm. ; Midland, 773; South Eastern and
Dover, 24-16 ; West Riding Union 3 dis. ; Black-
burn, 7k.