The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-12-22 00:00:00

tatraturr.

POETRY.

LINES ON VENICE

BY MISS F ANNY KEMBLE

From the high lattice now

her dark array

are gleaming;
n Night's dark brow
rs beaming.

ith depart

ems its motion

o'er yon blue co
I she's treading,

Now o'er the blue lag-une

Light barks are dancing

qeaih her veil spreading,

And 'nearh the silver moon
Swift oars are glancing.
deep Strains from the mandolin

sk on the ripp

,earns sleep Echo replies between

la the g

To mirth and laughter.
O'er the wave seen afar.

emerald

e crown, Gleam like a fallen star,

NOTICES

China; Political, Commercial, and Social. By R.
Montgomery Martin. Part I. London : James
Madden, 8. Leadenhall-street.
One of the most singular problems in the history of
the human race is contained in the condition of the vast
empire of China. Four hundred millions of population,
or nearly half the entire population of the globe, are there

covgregated under one SoCereign, whose dominions ex-
tend over about 35 degrees of latitude, and about 65 de-
grees of longitude, with a coast washed by the Pacific
two thousand miles in length ; yet the state of that popu-
lation, their laws and habits, and even the form of the
greater portion of the country they inhabit, are compara-
tively unknown to the remainder of mankind. Their
capital cities a European is not permitted to visit ; their
arts, their manufactures, their religion, we have for gene-
rations been compelled to form our opinions of upon
vague guesses; and of the habits and character of the
aaass of the people we know nothing at all. They have
hedged thamselves round with barriers against the curi-
osity and the cupidity of the rest of their species, and, as
well, against the intrusion of any other lights of civiliza-
tion than have been self-kindled, or have been handed
down through centuries of exclusiveness.
This state of things, however, is not destined to be per-
petual. Commerce, the great pioneer of civilization and
rational liberty. has set its restless eye upon China, with
a keen perception of its importance. Four hundred mil-
lions of people yet to be introduced into communication
with the rest of mankind ! What a prospect for the ma-
nufacturer, the shipowner, and the merchant, is here I
But there is still a higher and a holier prospect. Four
hundred millions of active and intelligent human beings
have to be brought within the pale of Christianity. Wary
stepping, too, it will require to enable us to succeed in
realizing either of these objects. The Chinese character,
so far as we know of it at present, is sensitively afraid of
dictation or rude interference with established habits.
We may persuade, but we cannot coerce theta into their
new position in the human family ; and to do this we
mast first study their habits, their prejudices, and their
tempers. To assist us the author of the work before us—
and an abler man for the task than Mr. Montgomery
Martin could not have been found—has devoted bra pen,
and the experience and information derived from his late
employment as her Maj-sty's treasurer for the colonial,
consular, and diplomatic services in China, and as a mem-
ber of the legislative council at Hong Kong. The part
(No. 1) now published treats of the topography, popula-
tion, productions, government, revenue, and banking
system of China; and aff,rds us a fund of valuable in-
formation with respect to this extraordinary people. The
second proposes to give their early history and their in-
tercourse with foreign nations, with some directions as to
the line of policy to be pursued towards them. The third
will treat of the regulations upon which their internal,
coasting, and foreign traffic is conducted, with separate
notices of the tea trade and the opium traffic ; and the
fourth will describe the consular ports of Canton, Amoy,
Foochoo, Ningpo, and Shanghai, and the stations of Hong
Kong, Chilean, Macao, and Kiackta, with some general
observations and an appendix of official documents. The
present number contains an excellent map of the country.

Iran Diamonds. By John Smith. London : Chapman

and Hall, 186, Strand.
This is a beautifully got up little work, and will
fornishfood for amusement in many a circle. The
author has displayed considerable ingenuity in the
endeavour to prove his theory with respect to the source
of Irish blundering and bulls, although we are fearful
that he has not altogether succeeded in establishing the
fact that his notions are very different to those of other
people upon the subject. Many of the specimens of wit
and humour introduced we recognise as very old friends ;
but they are welcome nevertheless. In the illustrations
Phiz has surpassed himself. By-the-bye, we may be
accused of a bull for saying so ; but, really, reading Mr.
Smith's collection is rather catching.

The Three Wives; or Woman Morally and Religiously
Superior to Man. By John Reid Mills. Liverpool :
Edward Howell, Park-lane : Manchester, Henry
Whitmore.
The proposition sought to be proved in the three tales
which compose the volume before us, is by most men
acknowledged—perhaps too readily, for it is by no means
consistent with our views of the human character, or of
the designs of the Creator. We cannot admit it as a ge-
neral principle that woman is " morally and religiously
superior to man," although many circumstances conspire
for the preservation of her character from the contami-
skating, influences with which men are surrounded
ii ; and it
is certain that, as an stteilfro-r goon, she possefteg hdtan-
tages which men do not. The importance of due atten-
tion—increased attention—being paid to the education of
woman, which appears to be what the writer has in view,
is quite clear. To woman is confided the task of model-
ling the character, in early youth, of their own sex and
ours. A talented mother has rarely a stupid child—a
pious mother an irreligious child. Some of the greatest
ornaments of our literature have traced their distinction
Lessons in childhood of rightminded mothers, and
-,ent in manhood of virtuous and talented
tales with which Mr. Reid has fur-
, very ably written, and convey much valu-
e sentiment and instruction.

to the

encourage
!s. The t

nished us are

VARIETIES.

PORTUGAL AND HER STREET.—lnsolvency has long
been associated with the name of Portugal, from the Court
of the former being situated in the street of the latter.
Now that the Portuguese are in a sate of bankruptcy,
the location of the Insolvent Court in Portugal-street
appears singularly appropriate.—Punch.
CANINE SAGACITY.—Tbe Progress of Arras relates
the following additional instances of the wonderful instinct
of the canine race :—About two months ago a person em-
barked for Africa, taking with him a sporting dog, given
to him by an inhabitant of Arras. But on Thursday
week the animal, who had jumped from the packet at
Toulon, made his way home again, where he arrived the
same day. The dog was seen travelling back through St.
Omer, where he was well known.
POLK AND COBDEN.—In swagger, ignorance, and self-
confidence, these worthies much resemble each other.
Nor are they dissimilar i❑ their fates. Substitute the
name of Cobden for Polk in the following extract from the
Morning Chronicle, (whig paper,) and the remarks would
as well fit the fugitive from Manchester, as him who still
holds his ground at Washington. The Manchester de-
mocrats have found to their cost that the path Cobden
chalked out for them is the road to ruin :—" Retribution
seldom follows so very close on the heels of wrong-doing
as it has in the case of the Polk policy of annexation and
war. Retribution is usually too long dated for the pur-
poses of moral impression and effect. It too frequently
falls on the wrong men, and visits the children instead of
the fathers. Or it comes due at the wrong time—when
the mischief has been done and forgotten, and the rela-
tionship of cause and effect is scarcely visible to the naked
eye. In the New World, however, everything grows
fast, and history is ready with her lessons before the sea-
son for edification has passed away. Mr. Polk's Nemesis
has been wonderfully quick with him. One of the greatest
of modern profieients in the art of rising' in democracies
seems destined to afford the world one of its best exam-
ples of the law of moral and political gravitation. He has
loved popularity and votes not wisely but too well, and
his popularity and votes desert him just when he is work-
ing hardest to propitiate them. More than any other
United States President, he has courted, flattered, and
pampered the passions of the democracy—and the demo-
cracy, by way of return, are cruelly ungrateful and vehe-
mently angry. One does like to see justice strike in this
way, while the icon is hot. Mr. Polk's disastrous and
unrenewed Presidentship will be a salutary warning to
public men in America—pointing, as it so happily does,
the valuable moral, that democracies have no gratitude
for men who pander to their passions, and unscrupulously
flatter their delusions, and meanly sacrifice the higher
aims and duties of statesmanship to the coarsest interest

of party."
CHINESE LOVE OF TRADING.—It is truly observed,
in an official report to the British government in 1837,
that, the Jews perhaps excepted, no nation is so much in•
Iluenced by the love of gain ; and at the same time, so
utterly regardless about the means to attain this end. The
more wealthy classes absorb their very existence in trade.
Commerce is the invariable topic of conversation, the
most important pursuit. the highest object of pleasure,
and the goal of all their wishes. Trade is the first and
last word in which all unanimously join, whilst the energies
mind and body are consumed in following up this bent.
is not here confined to one class of men, but to all
ranks and ages. Scarcely can a boy lisp, when he begins
to sell a few cakes, or a little sugar-cane. The poorest
try to gain a subsistence, if it be only to dispose of a few
rags. There is nothing in all nature which a Chinaman
might not turn to advantage, and trade in. All recesses
are ransacked to find a few trifles which may be sold to
advantage, and he would rather procure a pittance in this
way, than receive the money without displaying his inven-
tive genius. The Chinese may justly be termed the ped-
lars of the world ; wherever you go, there seem to be
more sellers than buyers. Nothing can exceed their affa-
bility if they think you are going to purchase anything
from them : they will refuse no money if they can be ever
so little gainers; they are therefore quite the reverse of
the Japanese, who are rough, disobliging, and positive ;
and when they ask a price, will not abate their demand.
Rut the Chinese turn every thing to advantage that offers,
ndertake the most difficult things for the least hope
The Chinese maxim is, that he who buys is for
did the seller consent to it ; upon this principle, they
think they have a right to ask the greatest price. The
dealer does not deceive, say they ; it is the buyer who de-
ceives himself. The buyer is under no compulsion ; and
*he profit which the merchant gets is the fruit of his in-
Istry.—Montgovnery Martin's

Wheat .. Ors. 210 1108
Barley Qrs. i 385
Malt Qrs. i 105 802
Oats Qrs. 1t96 213
Rye Qrs.
Beans Qrs. 75 2600
Pease Qrs. 8 1653
ShelledßarleyQrs.
Indian Corn. Qrs.
Oatmeal .. Loads i 280
Flour. .... Sacks , 394
Ditto Brls

1 133

18916
1595
907
2gog

EXPORTS.—Foreign. Wheat.— qrs. ; Barley,— qrs.; Pease,
qrs. ; Oats, qrs. ; Indian Corn. qrs.; Oatmeal,
sacks ; Flour. brls. —lreland Wheat. 783 qrs. ; Bar.
ley, 739 qrs.; Beans, 872 qrs ; Rye, 8 qrs. ; Indian Corn, 6287
qrs. ; Oatmeal. 113 sks; Flour, 150 sks 6525 brls. Coastwise.
Wheat, 1074 qrs. ; Barley, qrs.; Malt, qrs.; Oats, 235
qrs.; Beans, 444 qrs.; Pease, 79 qrs. ; Oatmeal, sacks;;
Indian Corn. qrs. ; Flour, 1033 sacks 2898 brls.

Average prices of Grain, for the week ending Dec. 12.1546.
Wheat 603. 3d. I Barley 434. ld.l Oats 265. 5d.. I ttye42s. 11 d

beans:. 45a. Od. IPease.. 483. 7d

Aggregate average of the six weeks

Wheat 60s. 4d Barley 435. sd. I Oats.. 265. sd. I Rye 425. Bd.
Beans..4ss.lld. I Pease.. ags. Id.

Duty on Foreign Produeethis week .
Wheat 4s 0d Barley 25 od Oats .. . Is 6d Rye.. 2s Oct
Beans 2s Oa I Pease.. 2s fid I Ind. Corn Os OctOd Flom B2s4id

Duty on British Colonial.
Wheat.. Is. od. I Barley.. Is.ud. Oats, I. od. Rye... Is. od;
Beans.. Is. od. Pease.. Is. od. I Flour. 4iri. cwt.

Liverpool Averages, week ending Dec 13, 1846.
Wheat, 179•? qrs., price 590. 4d; Barley, .i 9 qrs., price 395. 4d.
Oats, 375 qrs., price 2gs. 6d. ; Rye, qrs., price Os. Od.
Beans, 70 qrs.. 525. 1 d. ; Pease, Os., price Os. Od.
Duties paid in Liverpool, week ending Dec. 17.
Foreign.—Wheat, 7081 qrs. ; Barley, -- qrs. ; Malt,
qrs ; Oats, qrs ; Rye, qrs. ; Beans, 1563 qrs. ; Pease,
qrs. ; Indian Corn, 5147 qrs. ; Oatmeal. loads ; Flour, 2767
barrels.

Colonial.—Wheat,27 qrs.; Barley, qrs.; Pease, 130 qrs.—
Oatmeal, 164 cwt ; Flour, 797 brls.

THE Bust IDLERS.—Besides the procrastinating and
perfunctory class, those are " slothful in business" who
do no business at all. And there are such persons—
agreeable, self-complacent, plausible persons—who really
fancy that they have done a great deal because they have
in, ended to do so much. Their life is made np of good
purposes, splendid projects, and heroic resolutions. They
►ive in the region which the poet has described :
A pleasing land of drowsy-head it was,
Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye,
And , f gay castles in the clouds that pass,
For ever flushing round a summer's sky.
They have performed so many journeys, and made so
many discoveries, and won so many laurels in this aerial

clime, that life is over, and they find their real work is
not begun. Like the dreamer who is getting great sums

of money in his sleep, and who, when-he awakes, opens

6is till or his pocketbook, almost expecting to find it full,
the day-dreamer, the projector awaking up at the close of
life, can hardly believe that after his distinct and glorious
visions, he is leaving the world. no wiser, mankind no
richer, and his own home no happier for all the golden
prospects wbich have flitted through his busy brain. What
a blessed world it were, bow happy and how rich, if all
the idlers were working, if all the workers were awake,
and if all the projectors were practical men !—Life in
Eurnest.

TILE ORATORY OF M. TRIERS.—M. Thiers has often

reminded me of a beardless woman, well informed and

witty—not standing, but seated at the tribune, who
chatted upon a thousand subjects, jumping from one to
another with the most graceful levity, and without allow-
ing the labour of her understanding to appear upon her
lips, which are ever in motion. He is more elastic than a
spring of the finest steel—he bends and unbends—he rises
and falls with the subject—he will roll himself spirally
round al:Pout-a question tr.rui its base Lo its summit—lie
mounts, descends, remounts, hangs in the branches, hides
himself in the thickest foliage, appears, disappears, and
passes a thousand times in and out with the pretty agility
of a squirrel—he would extract money even from a stone
—where others glean, he leaps. He extends his plumage
and shows, by turns, every hue of purple, gold, and azure.
He does not speak, he coos—he does not c-o, he lisps—
he does not lisp, he warbles—and he is so dazzling both to
the eye and to the ear, that one does not know which to
admire most, his plumage or his song. He will give you
a speech of three hours' length on architecture, poetry,
law, navigation, or war, and yet he is neither a poet, an
architect, a lawyer, a mariner, or a soldier—all he will re-
quire is an evening's preparation. If he describes a bat-
tle, he astonishes the oldest generals. If he speaks of
walls, roofs, stone, and mortar, you would actually believe
him to be a mason or an architect. He will dispute with
Gay-Lussac on questions of chemistry, and teach Arago
how to direct his telescope at Venus or Jupiter. The fine
arts, canals, roads, finances, commerce, history, the press,
politics, anecdotes of the streets, theatres, war, literature,
religion, municipalities, morality, amusements, great
things, middling things, little things—what does it matter
to him, he is ready at He is so, because in fact he is

prepared upon nothing. He does not speak like other ora-
tors, because he speaks like people of the world. Other
orators prepare themselves more or less, but he impro-
vises ; other orators perorate, but he chats ; and who can
be on their guard against a man who chats like you or me ?
What did I say ? infinitely better than you, or than me, or
than any one else.- I have one fault, however, to find with
M. Thiers. It is, that sometimes he cannot restrain his
laughter when he is descending from the tribune. Now,
a good comedian never laughs at the farce which he plays.
On this point, M. Thiers has something to learn. If M.
Thiers spoke slower, he would be less listened to ; but his
volubility is such, that the house cannot go before him, or
even follow him. Once started, he proceeds at full gal-
lop, from the morning to the evening. If the Almighty
had foreseen that the day would come on which he would
create a Thiers, be would undoubtedly have made the
earth turn on its axis in forty-eight hours instead of
twenty-tour.--Dublin University Mavazine.
DANIEL DONE OVER.—The accounts from Rome
mention among other reforms set on foot by the new
Pope, that his Holiness has, by a decree, prohibited
" Mendicity and Vagabondism."
Othello's occupation's gone "

I poor Dan 1

RELIGION OP THE CHINESE.—it is difficult to convey
a distinct idea of the religion of the Chinese. The higher
masses are Deists ; and I heard their learned men express
an utter disbelief of a future state. In order that we
may be the better enabled to see the prospects which pure
Christianity would have in China, the following explana-
tion of the Confucian and other systems is given ; for
which I am indebted to Drs. Medhurst, Gutzlaff, Bridge-
man, and others. While in China, I was favoured by Dr.
Gu zlaff's translating my " Analysis of the Bible" into
Chinese, which I caused to be printed ; it is now exten-
sively circulating throughout China, and said to be pro-
ducing a good effect. The Confucian system of religion,
if religion it can be called, for it has little or nothing to do
with theology, is merely a scheme of ethics and politics,
from which things spiritual and divine are carefully ex-
cluded. In the works of Confucius there are some allu-
sions to Heaven as the presiding power of nature; and to
Fate as the determiner of all things; but he does not ap-
pear to attribute originality to one, or rationality to the
other. " Life and death are decreed by fate; ►fiches and
poverty rest with Heaven." The Book of Odes speaks of
the Imperial Supreme as " majestic in his descending
and surveying the inhabitants of the world, and promoting
their tranquillity ;" who is to be worshipped and served
with abstinence and purification ; while he views the af-
fairs of men, and rewards or punishes them according to
their deeds. The principle of order, which regulates the
universe," is called the soul of the world. The heavens
and earth, together with all animate and inanimate things,
are, according to them, but one principle ; which is as
universally diffuzed throughout nature, as water through
the ocean. Their description of the creation of the world
is as follows. " Before heaven and earth were divided,
there existed one universal chaos; when the two energies
of nature were gradually distinguished, and the yin and
yang, i. e., the male and female principles, established.
Then the purer influence established, and became the
expansive heavens ; while the grosser particles descended,
and constituted the subjacent earth. From the combi-
nation of these two, all things were produced ; and thus
heaven is the father, and earth the mother, of nature."
Hwoenantze, an ancient author of China, whose works
are in great esteem, writes thus :—" Heaven was form-
less—a chaos ; and tee whole mass nothing but confusion.
Order was produced in the pure ether ; out of the pure
ether the universe came forth ; the universe produced the
air. When the pure male principle, yang, had been dilu-
ted, it formed the heavens. The heavy parts coagulated
and formed the earth. The fine particles cnited very
soon, but the thick and heavy went on slowly ; therefore
the heavens came into existence first, and the earth after-
wards. From the subtile essence of heaven and earth,

the dual principles, yang and yin, were formed ; the joint
operation of yang and yin produced the four seasons ;
putting forth their generative power, gave birth to all
the products of the earth. The warm air of yang pro-
duced fire, and the finest parts of fire formed the sun.
The cold air of the yin, being condensed, produced water ;
and the finest parts of the watery substance formed the
moon."—Montgornery Martins'a " China."