The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-04-03 00:00:00

MISCELLANEOUS.

A marriage is on the tapir, between Mr. Grey,
and
dnnseicstteedr
with the family of the Earl Grey, and Lady Eliza Howard,
daughter of the Earl and Countess of Carlisle,
of the Duchess of Sutherland and Lord Morpetli.

"t
fnoshtlii°er flube l
The German Opera is likely to be the II:
entertainment of the season ; and, in addition to
dis-
tinguished patrons, her Majesty the Queen Dowager has
ordered a private box to be prepared for her reception.
ROYAL ARSENAL, WOOLWICH.—Carpenters are busily
engaged in erecting wood-work to represent the side of a
ship, and containing five port-holes, for the purpose of en-
abling sailors to practice firing at a target on a new princi-
ple ; it has the motion of a ship at sea.
During the last week, the price of tea, which had risen with
extraordinary rapidity on the announcement of hostilities
with China, has fallen with equal rapidity. Some qualities
have declined from thirty to thirty-five per cent.
A matrimonial alliance is said to be on the tapis between
Mr. Fulke Greville, late of the First Life Guards, and Lady
Rosa 'Nugent, only 'daughter of the Marquis of Westmeath,
and neice to the Marquis of Salisbury. The bridegroom
elect is cousin to the Earl of Warwick, and inherits the bulk
of the large fortune of the late Colonel Greville.

Earl Fipenoet Oates that Macs lid WI, played Imps of rook
Olt iri tho paoture 'lands, he has not had an inotanoo o pre•
mature calving amongst his cows.
Mr. Kempster, jun., of South Weald, E'sscx, for a wager,
recently shot eighteen farthings at twenty penny-pieces, one
of which only he missed ; and, on repeating the task, com-
pleted it without once missing the coin. In one of the shots
he tired the farthing through the penny-piece.
The Emperor of Russia has ordered a new steamer to be
built at the city of Jersey. of the same dimensions as the
Great Western ; and when completed, the keel of another
steamer is to be laid for the service of the Russian govern-
ment.

We understand it is the intention of the devisees in trust
under the will of the Rev. Charles Simeon, and who are
patrons of the rectory of Bath, acting with the consent of
the present incumbent, to divide the present lucrative rec-
tory of Bath into live distinct parishes.—Bristol Journal.

Twenty-two horses, many of them the most celebrated
steeplechasers, are entered for the Cheltenham Steeple-
Chase, which is to come off on Friday (this day). The
stakes are 25 sovs. each competitor, with 100 sovs. -added by
the town, and a cup value 100 sovs. given by Lord Segrave.
POST CON vErANcE.—A clergyman resident in Bath had
lately sent to him, through the medium of the Post-office, a
flannel waistcoat from Ireland ; the cost was ls. 10d. In-
stances such as this, of which there are no doubt many,
must prove a serious injury to the coach-proprietors, and
vindicate their claim to the consideration of government.—
Devizes Gazette.

SAFETY VALVES.—M. Sorel has announced to the Aca-
demy of Sciences the invention of a safety valve, which, at
the moment the pressure has passed a certain limit, an-
nounces the fact by a whistle, and stops the combustion of
the fire by shutting a register or damper. A second but dif-
ferent sound tells when the boiler is growing short of water.

MORALITY OF VIENNA.—The total population of Vienna
is estimated at 300,000. The following statement includes
in it those children born in the Foundling-house :7_

Born during 1839. Boys. Girls.
Legitimate
Illegitimate

8361

8102

MILITARY INQUIRY.—An inquiry, by order of Lord Hill,
is going on at Wigan, Lancashire, into the conduct of the
Hon. Mr. Plunket, the Hon. Mr. Fraser, and several other
officers of the regiment stationed in that town, relating to
certain outrages alleged to have been committed by them in
resisting the execution of a civil process for the arrest of Mr.
Frazer for debt. The inquiry is strictly private.
LONGEVITY.—Died on the morning of the 11th inst., at
Tarnbrook, in Over Wyersdale, Mr. William Hodgson,
aged 97 years; and in the evening of the same day, Mr.
William Simpson, of Quernmore, aged 95 years ; and on
Wednesday last, Mr. William Gifford, of Lodge, in Quern-
more, aged 87 years. All were near neighbours, and their
united ages amount to 279 years.—Lancaster Gazette.
On Wednesday last, some malicious person or persons set
fire to the plantations of his Grace the Duke of Beaufort,
situate near the New Mills, in the parish of Trellick, in this
county ; the fire was discovered about ten o'clock in the
morning, and continued burning till three in the afternoon,
consuming near 200 acres of wood plantation, the value of
which is estimated at £l,6oo.—Hereford Times.
THE SEASON.—The continued dryness of the season is
particularly favourable to the agriculturist. The crops will
this spring be got in in better condition, and larger quanti-
ties than they have been fur several years past. Doubtless
the clouds of March dust, which we see on all sides, will
fetch its usual price of a guinea per peck in the increased
quantity and quality of the crops. The orchards in this part
bear promise for abundant crops, the blossom buds being nu-
merous and healthy, while the late keen air has had the best
effect in checking the too early opening of the buds.—Lan-
caster Gazette.

PRUSSIAN EMIGRANTS.—Last year many Prussian emi-
grants proceeded to America by way of Newcastle and Hull;
more are expected this year. Those who landed at Hull
crossed the country to Liverpool by the canals which seve-
rally run through the vallies of the Aire and Calder. They
are Lutherans, and are unwilling to conform to the national
church. They are very poor, and seldom have more than
passage money and provisions to voyage with. Some come
from Saxony, some from Pomerania, and their first destina-
tion is New York. Baron von Rohl went before them to
make contracts in land. They are well supplied with Bibles,
and the old men strongly resemble the pilgrim fathers.
CORNISH LITERATURE.—The Rev. Robert Williams, of
Llangadwalladr, Denbighshire, has been for some years en-
gaged in compiling a Dictionary of the Cornish Dialect of
the Cymraeg, or Ancient British Language, in which words
are elucidated by numerous examples from the Cornish
works now remaining, with translations in English ; the Syn-
onyms will also be given in the Dialects of the Welsh,
Armoric, Irish, Gaelic, and Manx. A copious comparative
Grammar will be prefixed, and a Dissertation on the con-
nection of the Celtic with the other languages of Europe.
The Cornish name of the work is Geirlyfr Cernewac, it is
ready for the press, and is intended to be published in three
parts, by subscription. Several very respectable persons,
eminent for their researches in Celtic literature have sent
their names to the author, as patrons of the work ; and it is
hoped that he will receive a sufficient number to induce him
to proceed, and complete his undertaking.—Chester Courant.
LEAP EXTRAORDINARY.—On Wednesday, Col. Thessier
was riding a high-spirited horse along the carriage-drive on
the south side of Hyde-park, when near the bridge, by the
ale brewery, the horse became suddenly restive ; Colonel
Thessier applied his spurs. when the horse sprang forward
furiously, and on the bridge plunged violently, endeavouring
to throw his rider, but without effect. At length the animal
made a sudden spring, and actually leaped over the parapet
of the bridge on to the greensward beneath, a height of 20
feet. The gallant colonel, however, retained his seat, and
the horse alighted on his feet, neither the colonel nor his
horse receiving the slightest injury. A similar circumstance
occurred to a private of the Life Guards, a few months since,
proceeding from the Knightsbridge barracks to the Horse
Guards, but he also escaped in a similar manner.—Morning
Herald.

CUSTOM HOUSE REGISTRY.—The shipowners and others
interested in the registry of vessels from the ports of Car"
narvon, Pwllheli, and Barmouth, will learn with pleasure tha
the Board of Customs have granted the privilege of register-
ing vessels to the ports of Carnarvon and and that
the shipowners of Barmouth will in future register their ves-
sels in Carnarvon, instead of, as heretofore, being obliged to
go for that purpose to Beaumaris. This boon, we learn, has
been granted on the application of the shipowners of Pwllheli.
How long it would have been withheld, had it been left to
the parties interested in Carnarvon, it is impossible to say ;
one thing, however, is certain, the good people of the port
are never in a very great hurry, either to procure the removal
of known abuses, or to obtain those improvements which
they admit to be imperatively called for.—Chester Courant,

DESTRUCTIVE CONFLAGRATIONS AT FORDINGTON.—
FIFTY-FOUR HOUSES BURNT.—On Monday and Tuesday
week, the village of Fordington, adjoining Dorchester, was
the scene of two devastating tires, which raged with astonish-
ing rapidity, 4nd were attended with very great destruction
of property, particularly amongst the poor. These occur-
rences fortunately took place in the day time. That •on
Monday broke out in the chimney of the brewhouse, attached
to the residence of Mr. Elliot, which soon extended to six
other houses, covered with thatch; all of which were speedily
consumed. That on Tuesday broke out in the chimney of a
house occupied by Mr. Short, a carpenter ; before the flames
could be subdued, 46 thatched houses caught fire ; all of
which were destroyed. These calamities have rendered
about 100 families, comprising more than 250 individuals
entirely homeless. A subscription has been opened for the
suflerers.—Abridged from the Dorset Chronicle.

PRIVILEGE versus LAW.—As we anticipated at the outset
of the quarrel between the Commons and the Queen's Bench,
the former have been forced to yield. A little more histori-
cal reading might have saved Lord John Russell the humility
of his. defeat ; fcr he would have found that, in all previous
quarrels, the courts of law came off victorious. Whether
the attempt to legislate will succeed any better than the
attempt to brow-beat, is exceedingly doubtful. It is not
likely that the House of Lords will be inclined to give any
aid to the Commons in extricating themselves from the false
position in which they stand. At all events, the predicament
in which the whigs have placed themselves is miserable.
They are forced to appeal to that Louse which, only a few
years ago, they declared a nuisance, by every organ they
possessed; for protection against Stockdale; in the perfect
knowledge that Stockdale is stimulated and aided in his pro-
ceedings by many eminent members of that body to whose
shield they appeal for protection against the common law.—
Tait' s Magazine for April.
LOCAL DEPRA.VITY.—In Middleton and the vicinity there
is stated to be upwards of 150 hash shops, or houses where
ale and spirits are sold without license. The keepers and
frequenters of many of these places have lately instituted as-
sociations, under the name of gully clubs, for encouraging
disorderly and immoral sports. The members meet on Sun-
day mornings, and contribute small sums, such as 3d. or 6d.
weekly, which arc allowed to accumulate till the arrival of
some holyday, when the money is expended upon such bru-
talising sports as they may determine upon. The members,
however, are often deluded, and perhaps deservedly so, by
the parties employed as treasurer. Last week the members
of one club were swindled to the tune of £B, and, at no dis-
tant period, another body was defrauded of upwards of £2O,
by the mistress of an unlicensed beer-shop. The local con-
stables, who ought to interfere to check these irregularities
(but who are mostly chartists), not only manifest a total in-
difference to the evil, but, in many instances, actually join
the gully clubs. It is to be hoped, however, that the intro-
duction of the county constabulary, which is close at hand,
will very soon work a reform in the neighbourhood.—Man-
chester Guardian.

IMPORTANT ARRIVAL !—AS we expected, the remarks
which we made last week upon the report, that a certain fo-
reign lady had arrived in this country, have excited strong
attention. We would not unnecessarily rouse public curio-
sity to watch the proceedings of individuals, but when public
interests demand to be satisfied that such proceedings are not
connected with matters which seriously affect the empire—we
deem it most necessary to continue our observations. It is
certain that the countess, half-an-hour after her arrival at an
hotel in Bond-street, sent by the porter a letter to an illus-
trious personage, and also another to a noble lord, who seems
to act as puppy of all work. His lordship soon afterwards
waited upon her in a state of considerable anxiety—upon
what business must be left to conjecture. It is also certain,
that the French authorities endeavoured to detain the Coun-
tess in France, and that the English steam packet directors
had a hint to keep her arrival a secret. The proprietor of the
hotel where she stayed released the-lady's carriage and bag-
gage from the custom house, and she now resides at Wind-
sor. We can state also, that a monied wan has since waited
upon a party interested, offering £40,000 on loan in case the
matter required it. Does this account for the silence observed
upon the subject? Be this as it may, we shall deem it our
duty to make the strictest inquiries, and our readers may
rely upon it that the parties in this untoward affair shall be
perseveringly hunted out and exposed.—Argus.
AVERAGE PRICES or CORN.—As " facts are stubborn
things," we think that a consideration of the following list
of the average prices of corn, which is taken from an official
source, may be made very profitable at the present time,
when so many foolish attempts are being made to deceive
the public on the subject of the corn-laws :

Prices per qr.
Average price of corn for the ten years ending 1838, s. d.
since the present graduated scale commenced, from
1829 to 1838
Average of ten years previous, from 1819 to 1828,
both inclusive, before the present corn-laws were
enacted .................. . ...................
Average of the eleven years from 1818 to 1828, inc1u-
5ive........................................ .. 60 9
Average of twelve years, from 1817 to 1828, inclusive 63 6
1812 and 1813, average price
1814 and 1815, ditto
1792 to 1828, inclusive, average of 37 years
ARMY AND NAVY OF Eintopz.—The following is the
strength of the armies of Europe actually kept up, with the
number of vessels of war :
Vessels
Men. of war.
England ...• 114,000 600
Russia 660000 379
France 330,000 300
Austria 297,000 4
Prussia 167,000 6
Holland - 18
Spain 70,000 0
Belgium
Sweden
Denmark
Naples

55 10

58 6

Vessels
Men. of war.
Sardinia .. 30,000 8
Norway .. • . 23,000 0
Greece lO,OOO 3
States of the
Pope
Portugal not
known exactly
Hanover • . 16,700 1
Bavaria .. • . 40,000 0
Saxony 12,000 0
Wurternberg 15,000 0