The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-07-06 00:00:00

currency is contracted, and so obviate the ruinous and
lasting effects of such temporary diminution on general
credit ? Is it surprising, when such is the law, that the
mercantile classes watch the sky; that rain for a month
in autumn gives a serious shock to credit, and that stock
of all kinds rises or falls with the barometer ! The
Banker's Act of 1844 should be styled—' An Act for the
more effectual transferring of panics from agriculture to
commerce, and for perpetuating commercial catastrophies
in Great Britain.' "
_ When we compare the events predicted in this remark-

EXAMINATIONS OF MASTERS AND MATES

OF VESSELS.

We all along entertained considerable doubt as to the
general and efficient operation of tluvact,sought for some
time ago, requiring masters and niates of vessels to sub-
ject themselves to examination as 'td 'nautical qualifica-
tions ; our impression (in whiclionycny practical seamen
concur) being, that replies to- the- series of questions to
be put might, for' the most part, be prepared catechisti-
cally, or by rote, without being dictated by experience,
and that thus a very superficial knowledge of sailing
tactics, or spherical and astronomical calculation, might
enable a candidate to pass muster. We further opine
that no series of questions, however framed, would ade-
quately prove aptitude in practice in managing a vessel,
entering or leaving a difficult port, or in handling her
scientifically and mechanically, under the multitudinous
and often difficult emergencies attendant upon a seafaring
life,—of the possession of which, notliing short of seeing
the parties themselves direct or effect,, on board, can
convey a satisfactory assurance. The contemplated com-
pulsory act was withdrawn, as being obnoxious to men of
long standing and experience in the profession, on whose
fitness it unjustly inferred a mortifying doubt; and in its
place the Lords of Privy Council for Trade have issued a
paper
." recommending' masters and mates to pass an
examination, as a voluntary act, in ,order to obtain certi-
ficates, of the several degrees or classes to be awarded. It
appears, however, that neither the amount of qualifica-
tions required, as pointed' out, nor the constitution of the
Boards of Examiners, are 'such as to elicit, or prove, the
ability of aspirants in many most important points con-
nected with steam navigation.; so that the ordeal, though
creditably passed, leaves masters of steamers short of that
honourable distinction to which a successful examination,
stimulate him in seeking to renew a connexion on the peculiar points applicable almost exclusively to
their calling, would entitle them. ' Many masters of
which he had already voluntarily resolved to close.
'first-class scteaaTivtielseels, in. order that this deficiency may
The electors of Liverpool have, therefore, a grace-
teslibsieedulticeaiprpreerciTstl, accord-
ingly and a grateful task to perform, which no mere inglsyupcponletemplate memorialising
subject ; and their appeal (the Lads of whichpsn
deputation, however respectable, can accomplish.
,eonhathve
We have to ask of our respected member the sacri- obtained) is highly honourable to themselves, as, in place
flee of a few more years of his valued services ; of aiming at the avoidance of an examination on essential
points, invites a more strict and enlarged' sphere of
and there are—there ought to be—few of his friends
e who will not be anxious to pay him so well deserved
ualifications applicable to themselves
q They express their willingness and .anx;

able passage with those which h'ave actuailyaen—pTace
—when we reflect that a bad harvest has occurred, and
that our gold has been drained, our paper circulation con-
tracted, and the screw put on—we think there are few
commercial men in the country who will not agree with
us in wishing that Sir Robert Peel had really accepted
Mr. Allison "as the philosopher who is to instruct us on
the currency."

We trust that this question will receive from the
constituencies throughout the country the attention

ich its im

IT has not hitherto been publicly announced,
that a requisition, signed by the electors, is re-
quired as one of the inducements for our respected
representative, Sir Howard Douglas, to offer him-

self again as a candidate for Liverpool. Sir
Howard, it is well known, withdrew his pretensions
to represent Liverpool from a wish to ret

ire into

y, as a soldier